Blinken calls the Vatican an important partner of the US

Secretary of State meets Pope Francis on 27 June

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has described the Vatican as an important partner of the US on a number of issues, including the protection of human rights. He said this in a statement published in La Repubblica newspaper on Tuesday.

“We are working [with the Vatican] together on respecting religious freedom, preventing climate change, overcoming pandemics, ending conflicts, and upholding human rights and human dignity. The Vatican is our important partner”, –  Blinken said.

On Monday, he was received by Pope Francis, with whom the conversation lasted about 40 minutes and took place in a “friendly atmosphere”. Blinken called it “one of the most important moments of his life”.