This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Mr. Olaf Scholz, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Msgr. Mirosław Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions held at the Secretariat of State, appreciation was expressed for the good relations and fruitful collaboration between the Holy See and Germany, highlighting the importance of the Christian faith in German society. Attention then turned to some issues of common interest, such as the phenomenon of migration.

Special reference was then made to the conflicts in Ukraine and in Israel and Palestine, and the consequent commitment to peace, in the tireless pursuit of a diplomatic solution leading to an end to hostilities as soon as possible.

From the Vatican, 2 March 2024