“Holy Father”
“A pleasure to see you”
“It's a great pleasure... an immense honor”
In this affectionate way, the pope and Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, greeted each other.
They spoke privately in Spanish for a few minutes.
“Everything you are doing, I really thank you.”
Guterres traveled to Rome to discuss with Pope Francis issues like the environmental crisis, poverty and inequality, multilateralism, the protection of refugees and migrants, human trafficking, wars and nuclear disarmament.
After came an exchange of gifts. Pope Francis gave the UN Secretary-General an engraving, which he politely showed reporters.
The pope also gave him a copy of his Message of Peace for the year 2020, as well as the Abu Dhabi document on Human Fraternity, which Guterres really appreciated.
It was a very cordial encounter showing the great connection between the two leaders.
Ángeles Conde