Pippa meets Pope Francis in Rome

Offaly-based Minister Pippa Hackett has said it was "an honour" and "humbling" to meet His Holiness, Pope Francis, during a programme of events in Rome last week.

The Green public representative accompanied President Michael D. Higgins on several engagements, including a meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican, during a varied programme of events in Rome centring around the World Food Forum 2023.

Reflecting on the high-profile engagements in Rome and the Vatican, Minister Hackett said: “While the meetings and engagements were varied, the themes of hunger, climate change and biodiversity loss were a common thread. They are interlinked, and are of enormous consequence both for this generation and the next.

“It was an honour to meet His Holiness, Pope Francis as part of the visit. It is over eight years since he wrote the encyclical letter ‘Laudato Si’ in which he outlined his concerns about the devastating effects of the ecological crisis has on people and the planet. He continues to be outspoken about this, and he recently spoke on the need for urgent action. It was humbling to be able to tell him personally how much his leadership in this area means.

“I was delighted to attend the World Food Forum also, as it brings together experts from right across the globe, with a focus on youth engagement, to discuss how we can transform food systems to address these challenges.

“Youth engagement in sustainable agricultural production will be fundamental to whether we succeed in combating climate change and food insecurity, and in protecting our natural environment.

“It was also a pleasure to give the keynote address at the UN FAO Science and Innovation Forum event on the bioeconomy, where I highlighted the recent publication of Ireland’s National Bioeconomy Action Plan for the period 2023-2025," she ended.