Today, the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Excellency Mr. Ion-Marcel Ciolacu, Prime Minister of Romania, 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, which took place at the Secretariat of State, the parties focused on the high level of relations between the Holy See and Romania, and ways of further consolidating bilateral cooperation to the benefit of the Romanian people, especially in the sphere of education.

Attention then turned to some current themes of mutual interest, such as the conflict in Israel and Palestine and in Ukraine, the reception of migrants and refugees, and the prospects for the enlargement of the European project.

From the Vatican, 15 February 2024