Pope Francis on Monday
received in audience Polish President Andrzej Duda amid Poland's
celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the election of Polish
pope John Paul II on October 16 1978.
Duda gave Francis a copy of the famous Polish painting of
Divine Mercy as well as a basket of Polish food products which
Duda's wife said the pope could "dispose of as you see fit",
saying Your Holiness, you really care about the poor".
Francis also received two books on Krakow and the Divine
Mercy painting.
The pope gave Duda a message for peace, the four documents of
his papacy (Amoris Laetitia, Evangeli Gaudium, Gaudetet et
exsultate, Laudato Si'), and a medallion showing a reproduction
of St Peter's Basilica.
Duda then held a meeting with Vatican Secretary of State
Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Vatican Secretary for Relations with
States, Archbishop Paul Richard Galagher.
A statement by the Holy See's Press Office said that "during
the cordial discussions, which took place in the context of the
fortieth anniversary of the election of Saint John Paul II as
Supreme Pontiff, the importance of Christian values in the
country's history was underlined, especially with regard to the
formation of its cultural and religious identity."
The two sides "then turned to various themes of common
interest, such as the promotion of the family and welcome."
The Press Office statement said they also mentioned "Poland's
contribution to the European integration project, as well as
various themes of an international character, such as the
conflict in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East,
migrations, and the protection of creation in view of the United
Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in
Katowice next December."
Duda said "with Pope Francis we talked about the future of
Europe. The Holy father asked me if, in my opinion, it is
possible to emerge from all these crises. I replied that
according to me it is possible but a change of vision is needed:
we must return to the values of Europe's founding fathers".
He said "every country in the European Union must feel
respected, we need mutual respect among the EU countries."
The Polish president invited Francis to return to Poland next
year, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of relations
between an independent Poland and the Holy See.
"Thank you, we'll see", Francis replied, according to Duda.
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