Pope Francis receives German Chancellor Angela Merkel
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has received in audience German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
A Vatican press release said that the colloquium between the two leaders took place in the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
It also revealed that during the cordial exchange Pope Francis and Chancellor Merkel examined a range of topics including the upcoming G7 Summit which will take place in Bavaria and other issues of international impact such as the fight against poverty and hunger; human trafficking and exploitation and the rights of women; global health challenges and the protection of the environment.
The Vatican communiqué also said Francis and Merkel touched on themes of human rights and religious freedom in some parts of the world, and on the importance of spiritual values for social cohesion.
Concluding, they focused on the situation in Europe and in particular on the commitment to reach a peaceful solution for Ukraine.
After being received by the Pope, Merkel met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State who was accompanied by Archbishop Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States.