Pope Francis on Thursday received in audience Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of Croatia, who subsequently met Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

In a press release, the Holy See Press Office said that during the cordial talks in the Secretariat of State, both sides “expressed appreciation for the good bilateral relations that exist and the intention to further develop collaboration in areas of mutual interest”.  

They also touched upon the main commitments of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the coming six months, with particular reference to the challenges facing the future of Europe.

“Finally, several international and regional issues were discussed, including the situation of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, migration and peace and security,” the Vatican statement said.