Georgian president pays historic visit to Vatican
A number of agreements have been made between Georgia and the Holy See deepening their ties. Photo: Salome Zurabishvili's Twitter
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who is on an official visit to Vatican, has met with Pope Francis today.
During the meeting they discussed a number of issues including the importance of global solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic, the grave humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), as well as Georgia’s role of a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan to promote peace and stability in the region.
Pandemic, peace and stability in the region, the dire situation in the occupied territories, tensions on the ABL, global challenges and the need for small countries to shape a common voice…
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) June 18, 2021
A very open-hearted conversation with His Holiness, centered around a message of peace. pic.twitter.com/atWMtrIz7J
Calling her visit ‘historic’ President Zurabishvili has welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Georgia and the Holy See aimed to deepen their ties in the fields of culture and education, including through establishing a joint scientific council.
Historical day! Georgia and the Holy See sign two memoranda of cooperation on Culture and Education! This is the first step to a bright future in our bilateral ties. pic.twitter.com/amusAH55Hk
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) June 17, 2021
In the frames of the MoU, Vatican is ready to engage Georgia in the Global Compact on Education, which aims to 'create a global change of mentality through the education'.
Very interesting tour of @MuseiVaticani and talk with Dir. Barbara Jatta. This visit sets the ground for future Georgian students/researchers to go through training at the Museums, for exhibit exchanges and for the participation of local experts in Georgian conservation work ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/5MKETC5oZs
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) June 17, 2021
President Zurabishvili believes that studying the deep ties between Georgia and the Holy See 'is key to understanding our history'.
Amazing find at the Propaganda Fide Archives. Texts on the martyr of St Ketevan and letters of King George XI to the Pope.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) June 17, 2021
Studying the deep ties b/ ???????? and???????? is key to understanding our history. Great talking with Cardinal Tagle on giving Georgian students access. pic.twitter.com/Zp47APFb0v
Yet another agreement was made with the Bambino Gesù children’s hospital, which will open its doors to Georgian health workers and biologists to increase their capacity there. Upon Zurabishvilis invitation, the President of its Board of Directors, Mariella Enoc, will visit Georgia.
Since the beginning of my presidency, I’ve made it a priority to use our international partnerships to develop in Georgia a strong children’s ontological care system. I’m glad I could visit #BambinoGesù to ensure that Georgian medical staff will be able to receive training there! https://t.co/PCntUCQplm
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) June 18, 2021
During the Georgian President’s visit to Vatican, a decision was made to grant a 17th century San Salvatore ai Monti church to Georgian parish for long-term temporary ownership.
Salome Zurabishvili paid an official visit to the Holy See on June 17-18, making it the first official visit of a Georgian President to Vatican since 2016.
Pope Francis spoke with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili by phone and said he will pray for Georgia on May 14 in his prayer to save the word from the pandemic and named Georgia as a country with ‘great spirituality’ adding that the Georgian nation is ‘precious’ to him.
Pope Francis invited Georgian Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II to the Vatican next year. In a letter which was published earlier today, Pope Francis recalled his visit to Georgia back in 2016, saying he wished to meet with Ilia II again next year.
Pope Francis will visit Georgia in late September, the Vatican has confirmed. The visit will be part of the Pope’s Caucasus tour, which will involve Azerbaijan and Armenia too.
Pope Francis departed Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport about 8am this morning after spending two days in Georgia.
President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili was welcomed in Rome on Tuesday with a ceremony at the Quirinal Palace of the city marking the beginning of her official visit.