This morning, 12 November, the Holy Father Francis received in audience in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the President of the Swiss Confederation, H.E. Alain Berset, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, besides highlighting the historic link assured by the faithful and professional service rendered to the Holy Father by the Pontifical Swiss Guard, satisfaction was expressed for the good bilateral relations, along with the hope of strengthening collaboration between Church and State in various areas of common interest.

Reference was then made to the active and joint commitment, at European and international levels, to a more fraternal society, in the promotion of justice and peace, in the importance of multilateralism and in the protection of humanitarian law. In this context, the parties focused on certain current themes, such as migration, conflict mediation, nuclear disarmament and human trafficking.