The fight against poverty, the inclusion of migrants, the scourge of trafficking in young women but also a look at welfare in Italy and in particular on the role of Catholic healthcare and the third sector.
These are the themes on the table at the meeting between Italy and the Holy See held today at Palazzo Borromeo, for the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts.
An appointment that every year is an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations but also to highlight common priorities.
At the meeting, which is held at the Italian embassy to the Holy See, the Italian delegation is led by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, accompanied by the Undersecretary to the Prime Minister Alfredo Mantovano and some ministers.
The presence of the Presidents of the Chamber and Senate, Lorenzo Fontana and Ignazio La Russa is also expected.
The Holy See will be represented at the highest levels, with the Secretary of State, card.
Pietro Parolin, and the Secretary for Relations with States, Msgr.
Paul Richard Gallagher.
The delegation of the Italian Bishops' Conference will be led by the president, card.
Matteo Zuppi, and the general secretary Msgr.
Joseph Baturi.
The event is hosted by Ambassador Francesco Di Nitto.
While President Mattarella has participated in the celebration all these past years, it is the first time for the Meloni government.
But it is not exactly a debut in relations with the Vatican.
Just over a month ago, on 10 January, the prime minister was in the Vatican for her first audience with Pope Francis and on that occasion, in the talks at the Secretariat of State, there had already been an exchange of views on the priorities to be face.
Also in the background is the drama of the war in Ukraine and the difficult search for a way to peace.
And now the question of aid to Syria and Turkey devastated by the earthquake also emerges.
On that occasion, the Pope's audience with the Prime Minister, there was also talk of the Jubilee 2025, an appointment that sees the Italian government involved from now on to guarantee the adequate infrastructures for the reception of the many pilgrims expected for the Holy Year.
It is conceivable that this theme too will be on the table on Tuesday afternoon.
On the other hand, as regards the issues dear to the Italian Church, in addition to the reception and inclusion of migrants, one could speak of the problem of gambling addiction with the request for adequate measures, including legislation, as for example Caritas Italiana has been pushing for years.
Finally, in an Italy with few children and which is aging more and more, two other themes dear to both the Church and the current majority are intertwined: initiatives to promote the birth rate and those to assist the elderly, especially those who are not self-sufficient.
On this front, mgr.
Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life but also of the government commission for the reform of assistance to the elderly population.
Finally, the theme of support for palliative care as a response to those who instead ask for the legalization of euthanasia.
