Pope receives Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
By Vatican News staff reporter
The audience on 21 June between Pope Francis and Brazilian President Inácio Lula da Silva took place at the Vatican in a warm and cordial atmosphere, as they have known each other for many years. It marked President Lula's first visit to the Vatican since his re-election in November 2022 to lead the country for the third time.
Cordial atmosphere
Following a meeting with Italy's President, Sergio Mattarella, the Brazilian President arrived at the Vatican where he met with Pope Francis in the small meeting hall next to the Paul VI Audience Hall where they spent around 45 minutes in closed-door discussions. At the conclusion, between photos with the delegation and gestures of cordiality, the exchange of gifts took place. Pope Francis offered his World Day of Peace Message for 2023, the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi, the book on the Statio Orbis of 27 March 2020, published by the Vatican publisher LEV, and a bronze bas-relief entitled "Peace is a fragile flower." While presenting the sculpture, Pope Francis spoke a few words in Spanish noting that "we are in a time of war, and peace is very fragile." The first lady of Brazil offered a Statue of Our Lady of Nazarè from Belem, Brazil.
Secretariat of State visit
The Brazilian leader then headed to the Vatican's Secretariat of State for talks with Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs at the Secretariat of State. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, is currently in Udine, Italy, for the presentation of a book on Albania. "During the cordial talks," a communication from the Holy See Press Office noted, "satisfaction was expressed for the good relations between Brazil and the Holy See, underscoring the good collaboration between the Church and State in view of promoting moral values and the common good."
The Press Office noted as well the positive exchange of views on the socio-political situation in the region and that themes of common interest were discussed, such as "the promotion of peace and reconciliation, the fight against poverty and inequality, respect for indigenous peoples, as well as protection of the environment."
Invitation to Brazil
President Lula noted publicly that among the topics he wished to discuss with Pope Francis were "fight against inequality" and the fight against hunger "on a planet that produces more food than it consumes." He also mentioned a new invitation to the Pope to visit Brazil for the second time, after his World Youth Day visit to Rio de Janeiro in July 2013, his first papal apostolic journey. The President mentioned in the media of his wish for the Pope to return for the Círio de Nazaré, one of the country's biggest Catholic festivals, held annually in Belém, in the state of Pará.
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