Pope Francis received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq, Fuad Mohammed Hussein, in an audience today May 3, in the Vatican.

Responding to the questions of several journalists, the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni, affirmed today in a statement: “I confirm that this morning Pope Francis received in an audience the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq, Fuad Mohammed Hussein.”

During their conversation, which lasted 30 minutes, the Holy Father had the opportunity to recall with gratitude the welcome he received in his recent journey.

Moreover, the Vatican spokesman shared, the Pontiff addressed “an affectionate greeting to Iraq and to all its people, reiterating his hope that all people may ‘grow in solidarity and in the ability to acknowledge themselves as responsible for the vulnerabilities of others.’”