Holy Father Pope Francis met with French President Emmanuel Macron, who later inherited the title of honorary canon of the Lateran Basilica. Macron was accompanied at the papal audience by his wife, Brigitte. The Pontiff and the French president discussed protection of the environment, migration, and conflict prevention, according to a communique from the Holy See Press Office.
His Holiness Pope Francis and President Macron talked about how religions contribute to “the common good” of France, especially the Catholic Church’s commitment to bettering society. The two men exchanged gifts, with His Holiness Pope Francis giving Macron, who was baptized a Catholic at the age of 12, a medallion of St. Martin of Tours, depicted cutting his cloak in half to give it to a beggar in winter. President Macron gave the Pontiff a rare copy of Georges Bernanos’ 1936 book “Diary of a Country Priest”.
Afterwards, President Macron met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and His Grace Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
