The President of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Theodoros Rousopoulos, met His Holiness Pope Francis on Friday 8 November in the Vatican.
In their discussion, they emphasised the importance of safeguarding human dignity and promoting human rights. They addressed pressing issues including the fight against poverty, social exclusion and migration. The war in Ukraine, and especially the situation of deported children, was also discussed.
They agreed that European cooperation and solidarity were key to addressing these challenges, and the work of PACE in the field of migration was especially welcomed by His Holiness.
The conversation highlighted women's empowerment as a crucial factor in building a better future, as well as the need for heightened attention to environmental protection, a key priority in response to the current climate crisis.
Finally, His Holiness and the President discussed the pioneering role played by the Council of Europe in the field of Artificial Intelligence, through the new Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and human rights, democracy and the rule of law, the first-ever international legally binding treaty in this field.
At the conclusion of their meeting, the President invited His Holiness Pope Francis to address one of the forthcoming PACE sessions.
President Rousopoulos also met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations. They discussed the vital role of multilateral cooperation in addressing Europe's current challenges.
During his visit to the Vatican, the President was accompanied by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis, the Deputy Head of his Private Office Stefania Kruger, and his wife Mara Zacharea.
