Pope Leo XIV received in audience the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, according to a statement released by the Council that gives an account of the meeting that took place yesterday at the Vatican. “The audience was a valuable occasion to reaffirm a shared vision of an international order rooted in human dignity, fundamental rights, and justice”, the statement reads, and to share “grave concern” over the rise in violence and impunity across the world, as well as democratic backsliding, polarisation and all forms of discrimination. The focus of discussions was the war of aggression against Ukraine, with Berset praising the Holy See’s diplomatic efforts and recent contacts initiated by Pope Leo XIV. Other topics were also covered according to the statement: the situation of Ukrainian children and the issue of accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and for all human rights violations; the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza; and the recent Israeli attack on Iran. Pope Leo XIV reiterated his “full support for the Council of Europe” as a “peace project” dedicated to upholding its founding values. Berset also met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and with Mgr Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States. The Holy See has “observer status” in the Council of Europe since 7 March 1970. It is a Party to 9 Conventions, as well as a member of the Development Bank, North-South Centre, Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes and MONEYVAL.