Pope Leo receives the President of the Republic of Peru

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Leo XIV met with the President of the Republic of Peru, Mr. José María Balcázar Zelada, today in the Vatican.

The President subsequently had talks with the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, at the Secretariat of State.

According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the conversations at the Secretariat of State were "cordial" and "satisfaction was expressed with the good relations between the Holy See and Peru and the desire to strengthen them."

It added that attention turned to matters of common interest, including socio-economic trends, illegal mining activity, the promotion of the common good and dialogue, as well as commitment to social cohesion.

Finally, the statement concluded by noting there was also an exchange of views on the regional and international socio-political situation, with particular attention to the phenomenon of migration, organized crime, and the repercussions of conflicts.

Pope Leo XIV receives the President of Peru in the Vatican