Pope sees Polish president on JP II anniversary

(ANSA) - Vatican City, October 15 - Pope Francis on Monday received in audience Polish President Andrzej Duda amid Poland's celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the election of Polish pope John Paul II on October 16 1978.
    Duda gave Francis a copy of the famous Polish painting of Divine Mercy as well as a basket of Polish food products which Duda's wife said the pope could "dispose of as you see fit", saying Your Holiness, you really care about the poor".
    Francis also received two books on Krakow and the Divine Mercy painting.
    The pope gave Duda a message for peace, the four documents of his papacy (Amoris Laetitia, Evangeli Gaudium, Gaudetet et exsultate, Laudato Si'), and a medallion showing a reproduction of St Peter's Basilica.
    Duda then held a meeting with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Galagher.
    A statement by the Holy See's Press Office said that "during the cordial discussions, which took place in the context of the fortieth anniversary of the election of Saint John Paul II as Supreme Pontiff, the importance of Christian values in the country's history was underlined, especially with regard to the formation of its cultural and religious identity." The two sides "then turned to various themes of common interest, such as the promotion of the family and welcome." The Press Office statement said they also mentioned "Poland's contribution to the European integration project, as well as various themes of an international character, such as the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, migrations, and the protection of creation in view of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Katowice next December." Duda said "with Pope Francis we talked about the future of Europe. The Holy father asked me if, in my opinion, it is possible to emerge from all these crises. I replied that according to me it is possible but a change of vision is needed: we must return to the values of Europe's founding fathers".
    He said "every country in the European Union must feel respected, we need mutual respect among the EU countries." The Polish president invited Francis to return to Poland next year, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of relations between an independent Poland and the Holy See.
    "Thank you, we'll see", Francis replied, according to Duda.