Pope Francis stopped in central Rome to meet Emma Bonino, former Italian foreign minister and leader of the ‘Peu Europa’ party, on his way back to the Vatican after a visit to the Pontifical Gregorian University. She was hospitalized in mid-October with breathing problems and recently returned home.
Vatican News
Pope Francis visited the home of Emma Bonino, former Italian Foreign Minister and member of the European Parliament, who also heads the Italian political party “Pie Europa (More Europe).” The Pope continued his visit to the Pontifical Gregorian University on Tuesday morning with a stop in central Rome to meet with the institution’s academic community. Emma Bonino, 76, was recently released from the hospital, where she was admitted for respiratory problems.
chance meeting
The Pope wanted to meet him, which was a chance meeting. As he left his house, people asked the Pope about his visit and how he was feeling, since he had previously battled cancer. The Pope responded: “Very good… they are always cordial.”
previous meetings
Pope Francis and Emma Bonino have met several times before, beginning in November 2015, when they attended Wednesday’s audience in the Paul VI Hall. Bonino presented a new initiative in favor of refugee children from the Italian foundation ‘La Fabbrica Della Pache’.
On November 8, 2016, Pope Francis received him personally at the Apostolic Palace. The Vatican press office reported then that “the conversations focused mainly on issues of migratory flows, the reception of immigrants and their integration into society.”
Highlighting Emma Bonino’s work on behalf of immigrants, Pope Francis praised her efforts in 2015 during an informal meeting at the Santa Martha residence with Luciano Fontana, editor of the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera. On that occasion, the Pope mentioned the great service he had provided to Italy by helping her discover Africa.
