President of the Government travels to Holy See

Holy See, Vatican City

At the meeting, the President of the Government will congratulate the Pope on his election as the first ever Latin American Pope and the first Jesuit, whose order has close ties to Spain. He will also reiterate the open and permanent invitation offered by the Prince of Asturias, on behalf of the King of Spain, to visit Spain as soon as possible.

The President of the Government and the Pope will discuss bilateral affairs between the two States, with Mariano Rajoy expressing Spain's complete willingness to consolidate relations between Spain and the Holy See within the framework of current agreements and to collaborate on international affairs related to peace, development, human rights and social cohesion, especially in Latin America.

The President of the Government will also take this privileged opportunity to thank the Holy Father for the social and educational work carried out by the Church in Spain, which is especially important in times of crisis.

The President of the Government will then attend a work meeting with the Secretary of State of His Holiness, Tarcisio Bertone.