Hasina meets Pope Francis in Vatican City

Hasina was given a guard of honour when she reached the Vatican City from Hotel Parco Dei Principi Rome on Monday.

Besides the pope, the prime minister met Vatican City Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

She also visited the Sistine Chapel and the St Peter’s Basilica.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, among others, are accompanying Hasina during her visit to Italy and the Vatican City.

“Hasina’s visit to Vatican City soon after pope’s visit to Bangladesh will strengthen ties between the countries. This will also help create a congenial environment for Bangladeshi immigrants in Christian countries,” Minister Ali had said before the start of the visit.

Hasina went to Rome on Sunday on a four-day trip on invitation from Pope Francis, who visited Bangladesh from Nov 30 to Dec 2 last year, and Gilbert Houngbo, President of the International Fund of Agricultural Development or IFAD.

The prime minister is scheduled to attend the 41st Session of the IFAD Governing Council on Tuesday.

She will present the keynote at the opening session of the conference.

She is expected to join a civic reception organised for her by expatriate Bangladeshis in Rome on Tuesday evening and return home on Friday.