Pope receives UN General Assembly president

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.