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U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s Visit to Rome and Vatican City
3 MINUTE READ
October 7, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at the San Damaso courtyard to meet Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the Vatican, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Photo: The Associated Press (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at the San Damaso courtyard to meet Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the Vatican, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Pompeo is meeting Thursday with top Vatican officials, a day after tensions over U.S. opposition to the Vatican’s China policy spilled out in public. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Rome and Vatican City September 30-October 2.  On September 30, the Secretary participated in the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See’s symposium, “Advancing and Defending International Religious Freedom Through Diplomacy.”  The symposium highlighted diplomatic tools that governments, international organizations, and faith-based organizations can use to identify and confront religious persecution and encourage international cooperation to protect and promote religious freedom.  On October 1, the Secretary visited the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome, met with Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Gallagher at the Vatican, and attended a reception and luncheon at the Pontifical North American College.  Ambassador and Speaker Gingrich hosted a dinner in honor of Secretary and Mrs. Pompeo later that evening at Villa Richardson.

See photos from the visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmRdPge7