Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister meet at the Vatican for 35 minutes

Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Tuesday at the Vatican for 35 minutes and discussed “good bilateral relations” and the conflict in Ukraine.

“During the cordial dialogue held at the Secretariat of State, good bilateral relations were noted and various topics related to the social situation of Italy were touched upon, with particular emphasis on problems related to the fight against poverty, the family, the demographic phenomenon and the upbringing of youth”, the Vatican said.

Attention was drawn to international issues, with particular emphasis on Europe, the conflict in Ukraine and migration,” he added.

Georgia Meloni wrote on twitter that the conversation with the pontiff evoked “strong emotions”.

Oggi in udienza da Sua Santita @Pontifex_it in the Vatican. Onore e una forte emozione avere l’opportunità di dialogare con il Santo Padre sulle grandi questioni del nostro tempo. pic.twitter.com/4t59MG4UDA

— Georgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) January 10, 2023

“[Foi] honor and great excitement to have the opportunity of dialogue with the Holy Father on the great questions of our time,” he said.

The head of the Italian right-wing and far-right coalition government posted a photo with her daughter Ginevra next to Pope Francis.

Meloni presented the leader of the Catholic Church with a 1955 edition of Maria Montessori’s Miss Explained to Children.

Francisco presented the Italian Prime Minister with a bronze work of a child helping another to stand up, titled “Social Love”, and some documents, including his message for World Peace Day 2023.

Meloni, 45, was sworn in as Italy’s prime minister in October 2022 after her Brothers of Italy (FdI) party led the right-wing alliance in September legislative elections.