In October 2023, President Michael. D Higgins made a visit to Rome and the Holy See.

President Higgins was invited by the Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organisation, Dr. QU Dongyu, to participate in the World Food Forum, held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in Rome, from Monday, 16th to Friday, 20th October, 2023.

Over the course of the week, President Higgins held bilateral meetings with the heads of each of the three Rome-based United Nations agri-food and food security organisations – the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Alvaro Lario, and the Director General of FAO Dr QU Dongyu.

During the week-long programme of engagements the President also met with the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, at the Quirinal Palace. The President also had a Private Audience with Pope Francis and held a bilateral meeting with Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State.

For more information, see www.president.ie

FAO footage courtesy of FAO Office of Communications
Vatican Footage courtesy of Vatican Media