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.

From the Vatican, 19 October 2023