Pope Francis’ audience with the President of Ireland, His Excellency Mr Michael D. Higgins, was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong relationship between the Holy See and Ireland. During the audience, which lasted about 25 minutes, the Pope and the President discussed a variety of issues, including migration, environmental protection and multilateralism.

Pope Francis expressed his concern for the situation of migrants and refugees around the world. He also stressed the importance of protecting the environment and working together to build a more just and equitable world. President Higgins thanked the Pope for his commitment to these issues and expressed his desire for continued cooperation between Ireland and the Holy See on these and other matters.

The audience was an opportunity for the Pope and the President to meet in person and strengthen their friendship and collaboration. It was also an opportunity for the Pope to express his support for Ireland and its people.

Communiqué from the Holy See Press Office:

Today, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Excellency Mr. Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, who then met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the cordial discussions in the Secretariat of State, satisfaction was expressed at the good relations between Ireland and the Holy See, and mention was made of some issues of common interest.

Attention then turned to some matters of a global nature, such as food security in developing countries and commitment to the elimination of poverty, the protection of the environment in the light of the publication of the Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, the phenomenon of migration in the delicate current world geopolitical situation, and the development of a multilateralism that might respond adequately to the current international conjuncture.