Pope Francis welcomes Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Schweitzer

Pope Francis welcomes Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Schweitzer

Vatikanstadt, Italien - The Vatican experienced a special day on February 8, 2025 when the Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer scored Pope Francis. Despite health challenges, including bronchitis, which required a laying of the audience to the guest house in Santa Marta, the Pope showed itself "very vital and present", as Schweitzer said after the meeting. This was Schweitzer's first visit to the Vatican as head of government of Rhineland-Palatinate and fulfilled a long-cherished dream of the politician who found: "There is a dream fulfilling," reported Zeit.de.

an important meeting

The 25-minute encounter with the Pope was originally set to 15 minutes and revolved around the necessary cooperation between the state and the church in Rhineland-Palatinate. Schweitzer not only brought a memory medal to the royal crown of Konrad II, but also a donation in kind of 8,000 euros for the alms plant of the Vatican, which comes from the Sebapharma company from Boppard. This small gesture symbolizes the connections between the Rhineland-Palatinate and Vatican institutions.

In addition, the Prime Minister had opportunities to exchange ideas with high -ranking church representatives, including Cardinal State Secretary Pietro Parolin. The meeting took place in a historical context because Pope Francis, then Jorge Mario Bergoglio, studied the German language for two months at the Goethe Institute in Boppard. This made the moment to Schweitzer and his delegation particularly significant and emotional.

In the afternoon, further visits are planned in Rome, which include discussions with the Catholic Community of Sant’egidio, which are actively involved in social projects. The delegation also plans, the grave of Pope Benedict XVI. to visit and walk through the holy gate that is open in the current Holy year 2025.