Today the Holy Father Francis received in audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, His Excellency Mr. Milorad Dodik, current President in the joint Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by the Rev. Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, under-secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions the parties focused on their good bilateral relations and on the presence of the Catholic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and spoke about the situation of the country and the economic and social challenges it faces. In addition, the need to guarantee effective parity of the constituent peoples and reconciliation among them was reiterated, underlining the importance of dialogue and mutual respect also in the institutional field, so as to overcome divisions and to achieve peace.

Attention then turned to themes of mutual interest regarding the international sphere, with particular reference to the prospect of the enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans.