Pope Francis receives Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic, at the Vatican

On the morning of this Monday, May 27, Pope Francis received Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic, at the Vatican.

The meeting between the Holy Father and Abinader, who attended with his wife Raquel Arbaje, began at 9:15 a.m. (local time) and lasted about half an hour.

Pope Francis gave the president a bronze sculpture titled “Social Love,” which represents a child helping another to get up, with the inscription Love Help.

Likewise, he presented him with several volumes of pontifical documents, such as this year’s Message for Peace and the book on World Station on March 27, 2020.

For his part, Luis Abinader gave Pope Francis a silver rosary and semi-precious stones from the Dominican Republic.

According to the Press Office of the Holy See, the president was also received by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Bishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the conversations at the Secretary of State, satisfaction was expressed “for the good bilateral relations and the desire to strengthen them even further.”

They also spoke about the valuable contribution that the Church offers to the country, especially in the field of education, as well as in that of charity.

The conversation continued addressing some topics of mutual interest such as migration and the regional situation, renewing the mutual commitment to promote the common good of the Dominican people.

After his visit to the Vatican, Abinader will also meet privately with the president of Italy, Sergio Matarella.