On Thursday 17 September 2015, Luxembourg Prime Minister, Minister of State, Minister for Religious Affairs Xavier Bettel was in Vatican City where he was received in private audience at the Apostolic Palace by His Holiness Pope Francis.
The Prime Minister and the Head of State of Vatican City held an exchange of views on bilateral relations and international issues, as well as the priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Pope reportedly showed great interest in particular in the latest political developments regarding the refugee crisis, reaffirming the need for solidarity and emphasising, on behalf of the Catholic Church, a willingness to take concrete action towards the matter by, for example, receiving refugees at parishes worldwide.
Following the meeting the Pope Francis, the Prime Minister met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Secretary for State Relations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher to dicuss regulation reform regarding the relationship between the state and religions.
Prime Minister Bettel was received later that afternoon with military honours for a meeting with President of the Council of Italian Ministers, Matteo Renzi, at Palazzo Chigi. Talks focused on bilateral relations as well as current issues and the European agenda.
Xavier Bettel expressed support for Italy, which has been particularly affected by the influx of asylum seekers fleeing war, stating "There is no easy solution to this extraordinary crisis, but we need a solution which takes into account the different origins of the migration crisis, which seeks an end to armed conflict, and a reception and redistribution of refugees who are not looking for a better life, but who are simply trying to save their lives".
Top photo by Palazzo Chigi / Tiberio Barchielli (L-R: Matteo Renzi, President of the Council of Italian Ministers ; Prime Minister Xavier Bettel)
Bottom photo by Osservatore Romano (L-R: Xavier Bettel; Pope Francis)
