31 May, 2013 - Pope Francis on Friday received in the Vatican the President of the
67th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Vuk Jeremić of Serbia, who later
met Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and Vatican Secretary
for Relations with States Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. A Vatican statement said
the Holy See and the UN touched upon issues of common interest, particularly the peaceful
solution to international conflicts, such as in the Middle East that is causing serious
humanitarian emergencies. In this regard they underscored the importance of reconciliation
among the various communities of society and of respect for the rights of ethnic and
religious minorities. The two sides also talked about trafficking in persons, the
drama of refugees and migrants, the global economic crisis, sustainable development
and bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. The two sides also appreciated
the Holy See’s role in the United Nations in the search for the common good of humanity,
as also the contribution of the Catholic Church to the promotion of integral human
dignity, peace and a culture of encounter, hoping these values will always inspire
the discussions of the UN General Assembly.