On the morning of Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in the Vatican 's Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience the Secretary-General of the United Nations, HE Mr Ban Ki-Moon, who later met with His Eminence the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, accompanied by Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, Under-Secretary for Relations with States.
The meeting, which is part in the tradition of audiences granted by the Popes to the various Secretaries-General of the United Nations who have succeeded each other over time, desired to express the appreciation that the Holy See has for the central role of the Organization in the preservation of peace in the world, in the promotion of the common good of humanity and the defense of fundamental human rights.
The cordial conversations focused on issues of mutual interest, in particular on situations of conflict and serious humanitarian emergencies, especially Syria, and others, such as the Korean Peninsula and the African continent, where peace and stability are threatened. Reference was also made to the problem of trafficking in persons, especially women, and that of refugees and migrants.
The UN Secretary General, who recently began his second term in office, presented his five year program, focused, among other things, on conflict prevention, international solidarity and equitable and sustainable economic development.
Pope Francis also recalled the contribution of the Catholic Church, starting from Her identity and the means that are proper to Her, in favor of integral human dignity and the promotion of a Culture of Encounter that contributes to the highest institutional purposes of organization.
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The cordial conversations focused on issues of mutual interest, in particular on situations of conflict and serious humanitarian emergencies, especially Syria, and others, such as the Korean Peninsula and the African continent, where peace and stability are threatened. Reference was also made to the problem of trafficking in persons, especially women, and that of refugees and migrants.
The UN Secretary General, who recently began his second term in office, presented his five year program, focused, among other things, on conflict prevention, international solidarity and equitable and sustainable economic development.
Pope Francis also recalled the contribution of the Catholic Church, starting from Her identity and the means that are proper to Her, in favor of integral human dignity and the promotion of a Culture of Encounter that contributes to the highest institutional purposes of organization.