By Vatican News staff writer
In the Vatican Saturday morning, Pope Francis met with the Luxembourg Prime Minister, Mr. Xavier Bettel, for a private audience.
Mr. Bettel subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
The cordial talks highlighted the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and Luxembourg and discussed topics of common interest, with a special focus on relations between the Church and the State.
Reference was also made in particular to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the commitment to peace.
Other issues, including the migration crisis and the need to provide assistance to migrants and refugees, were also discussed in the meeting.
Following the discussion, the Pope and Mr. Bettel exchanged gifts.
Pope Francis presented Mr. Bettel with a bronze sculpture depicting a child helping another child to stand, with the inscription “Amare Aiutare.”
He also gave the Prime Minister papal documents, including this year’s “Message for Peace,” “The Document on Human Brotherhood” and the book on the Statio Orbis from 27 March 2020.
In return, Mr. Bettel offered Pope Francis pastries from his country.
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