This morning the Holy Father Francis received in audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace the President of the French Republic, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Macron, 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.

During the cordial talks at the Secretariat of State, the existing good bilateral relations were emphasised, the centenary of which was recently celebrated.

In the course of the talks, a number of international issues were discussed, including environmental protection in the light of the outcome of the recent COP26 in Glasgow. There was also an exchange of views on the prospects for the forthcoming French Presidency of the European Union, as well as France’s commitment in Lebanon, the Middle East and Africa.

From the Vatican, 26 November 2021