Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statement to journalists following the visit to Greece of His Holiness Pope Francis (06.12.2021)

Today I had the great honour to see off and bid farewell, on behalf of the Greek Government, to His Holiness Pope Francis, following his two-day visit to Greece.

The Pope’s visit led to an extremely positive outcome, because it highlighted the important and positive way in which our country handles the migration–refugee issue. Greece protects and cares for human life, for human suffering. The visit of the Pope succeeded in spreading this message throughout the entire world.

Furthermore, there is simultaneously an additional benefit. The Vatican is an important geopolitical actor which exerts great influence and has an extensive information network throughout the world, while being extremely important in the Western Balkans, a region that is of special interest for our country.

In this respect, our relations with the Vatican have a major geopolitical significance as well. And today, following this visit, we are at an exceptional level.