Polish president visits Vatican
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
08.11.2015 13:27
President of Poland Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda begin a two-day official visit to the Vatican on Sunday.
Pope Francis in Saint Peters Square, Vatican City, 07 November 2015. EPA/ETTORE FERRAR
The presidential couple will attend a mass at St Peter's Basilica on Sunday afternoon, and on Monday they will be given an audience with Pope Francis.
According to Krzysztof Szczerski, Secretary of State at the President's office, topics scheduled for discussion include the refugee crisis and matters pertaining to the family in the wake of the recently concluded Vatican synod on the family.
The visit also provides the opportunity to prepare the ground for the 2016 World Youth Day, when the southern Polish city of Kraków will host the pontiff and an estimated 2 million pilgrims from around the globe (25 July -31 July).
Likewise 2016 marks the 1050th anniversary of Poland's baptism, and commemorations are being planned.
On Monday afternoon, President Duda will bestow honours on Poles working at the Vatican. He will also meet with members of the Polish community in the evening at Poland's embassy. (nh/rk)
Source: prezydent.pl