Bećirović and his wife visit Pope Francis: It would be an honour to once again host the head of the Catholic Church

(Patria) - As part of the official visit to the Holy See, the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, received BiH Presidency member Denis Bećirović in a private audience today at 10:00 AM.

Bećirović thanked Pope Francis for the private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. During a cordial conversation, Bećirović and Pope Francis noted that bilateral relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Holy See are friendly, with a high level of understanding and respect.

The BiH Presidency member expressed gratitude to Pope Francis and the Holy See for their principled support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On that occasion, he expressed hope that the Holy See's support for our country would continue, especially on its Euro-Atlantic path. Bećirović said that Bosnia and Herzegovina greatly appreciates the engagement and visit of Pope Francis to our country, as well as the two visits of John Paul II.

Pope Francis emphasised that Bosnia and Herzegovina holds a special place in his heart, and that he fondly remembers his visit to our country and meetings with people in Sarajevo in 2015.

During the conversation, Pope Francis said that he follows developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and supports the strengthening of cultural and interreligious dialogue, coexistence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its multi-ethnic character.

The BiH Presidency member invited Pope Francis to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that it would be an honour for all citizens and peoples to once again host the head of the Catholic Church.

Bećirović congratulated Pope Francis on his pontificate, which marked its tenth anniversary in March this year since his election as head of the Catholic Church. Bećirović emphasised that during his pontificate, Pope Francis, through his words, gestures, and activities, has strongly encouraged the consolidation of lasting peace, trust, and tolerance, fostering a spirit of unity and brotherly love.

Bećirović highlighted the importance of the Declaration on Human Fraternity for world peace and common coexistence, signed in 2019 by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. He particularly noted that the signed Declaration represents a call for reconciliation and brotherhood among all people of good faith.

During the official visit to the Holy See, the BiH Presidency member presented Pope Francis with a copy of the book Codex diplomaticus Regni Bosnae: charters and letters of the old Bosnian state and the Ceremonial Charter of King Tvrtko I Kotromanić.

After the audience with Pope Francis, BiH Presidency member Denis Bećirović will have a meeting with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.