President Lula receives the Secretary of State of the Vatican

On Monday, April 8, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the Planalto Palace, in Brasília. The meeting was attended by First Lady Janja Lula da Silva and by special advisor to the Presidency Ambassador Celso Amorim.

After reminding President Lula of the last time they met, at the coronation of UK’s King Charles III, the Vatican representative conveyed Pope Francis' greetings.

President Lula highlighted his efforts, also within the scope of the Brazilian presidency of the G20, for international mobilization towards overcoming inequality in all its forms, especially economic—an agenda about which he spoke personally with Pope Francis. “A world that produces the amount of food it produces cannot harbor people going hungry,” said the president.

Lula mentioned that Brazil left the UN hunger map in 2014—a fact that unfortunately receded over recent years. “We need to create awareness that hunger is not acceptable.”

The president also praised Pope Francis' role as one of the world's great leaders to stand up against war and inequality.

Both agreed on the importance of governments ensuring religious freedom.

Cardinal Parolin mentioned the Holy See's interest in indigenous peoples’ situation. On this topic, President Lula spoke of the creation of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (Ministério dos Povos Indígenas), and the fact that National Indigenous People Foundation (Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas - FUNAI) is chaired by an indigenous woman—and that the approval of new indigenous lands is soon to be announced. Finally, Lula commented on the efforts that the Brazilian government has made on behalf of the Yanomami, and the challenges represented by illegal mining and other forms of organized crime, “now an international industry.” “As far as it depends on our government, indigenous peoples will get the best possible treatment,” he said.