Today, Saturday 5 October 2019, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the President of the European Council, His Excellency Mr. Donald Tusk, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

During the cordial discussions, the parties evoked the good bilateral relations and the contribution the Church has offered and wishes to continue to offer for the construction of a more solidarity-based, peaceful Europe, respectful of the identity of her component peoples.

Attention then turned to various issues of an international and regional nature, with special attention to the future structure of the European Union and to migration.