On 14 March 2022, in the Vatican, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with His Holiness Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, for a discussion on current foreign policy issues, especially Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and its impact on the security situation in the region and across Europe.
Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed thanks to the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope for their strong and principled support expressed to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The Minister underlined that every effort must be made so that the international community could ensure humanitarian aid to people in Ukraine.
The matters of bilateral relations were also discussed. The Foreign Minister noted the excellent century-long relationship between Latvia and the Holy See in the spirit of sincerity and confidence, and he thanked the Holy See for its firm stance of not recognising the incorporation of Latvia into the USSR. 2022 also sees the centenary since the signing and coming into effect of a Concordat between the Republic of Latvia and the Holy See. The Minister highlighted the successful dialogue of the Latvian state with Christian denominations in the country as an example of ecumenism.
Pope Francis recalled with warmth his visit to Latvia in 2018, and he commended the fact that society in Latvia can live in interdenominational peace and harmony. The Minister congratulated Pope Francis on the ninth anniversary of his election as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Background information
The Concordat between the Republic of Latvia and the Holy See was concluded in the Vatican on 30 May 1922, and it was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, and the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Gasparri. The Concordat, having been ratified by the Constitutional Assembly of Latvia on 19 July 1922, came into effect following the exchange of the documents of ratification, in Rome on 3 September 1922.
The Concordat with the Holy See was one of the first international treaties signed by an independent Latvia, and formed a cornerstone of Latvian diplomacy. The Concordat with Latvia was drawn up during the pontificate of Benedict XV, and it became the first intergovernmental accord ratified by Pius XI, which set an example for other concordats not only in Europe but also in other continents.
March 13 marked nine years since Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected Pope, taking the name of Francis.
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