Rome The Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, in her meeting with the highest authority of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, asked to join in prayer for the health and well-being of the entire Dominican people, world peace and the cessation of conflicts that affect humanity.
During the meeting with the leader of the Catholic Church, the deputy president addressed issues related to the commitment that humanity has to take care of everyone’s home, which is the earth, with the proper management of natural resources and the preservation of the environment.
In the same way, Peña asked Pope Francis to join President Luis Abinader’s request that the international community respond to the call for assistance and help to the Haitian people.
Likewise, Peña congratulated Pope Francis for the way in which he addressed the issue of managing the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus, calling for solidarity among countries for equal and equitable access to supplies, medicines and vaccines.
His Holiness and the Vice President also discussed world news, the role of the Christian in the face of social inequalities and the importance of living the faith with an attitude of dedication.
The supreme pontiff took advantage of the occasion to, through the deputy president, send his blessing to the Dominican people, along with the exhortation to work together to bring hope to those who need it most.
That was also the moment when Peña delivered a letter to the Holy Father reiterating the invitation to visit the Dominican Republic.
The deputy president thanked Pope Francis for the distinction of receiving her and discussing the role of ecclesiastical diplomacy in guaranteeing world coexistence in times as difficult as war.
Upon her arrival in Vatican City, Peña was received by 105 gentlemen from the Cortile di San Dámaso (Patio de San Dámaso), and the Pontifical Swiss Guard, a protocol used to receive high-level leaders.
deals with food safety
During her visit to Rome, the deputy president also held a meeting with the ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Italy, Tony Raful, with whom she discussed the interest of continuing to attract new investments from that nation.
Peña discussed with the ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the World Food Organization (FAO), the implementation of projects that strengthen the food and nutritional security of the country and thanked the work of the Dominican embassy to the Holy See, in the person of Dolores Cedeño, Business Manager.
As the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis is a symbol of unity and communion, in an apostolate that professes social justice, service to others and the values of the gospel.
The vice president prays for the country
After the audience with His Holiness, the Vice President prayed for the Dominican Republic in the Pauline Chapel, together with the official delegation.
“For the believer, prayer is the way to get in touch with God, feel his presence and raise our requests to heaven,” he said. Similarly, the vice president met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for Vatican City. The deputy president thanked the ecclesiastical authorities for the distinction of receiving her and discussing the role of diplomacy.