Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming TD is travelling to Rome and the Vatican City this week (5 December – 8 December) where he will have an audience with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and undertake a series of engagements with the Embassies of Ireland to Italy and the Holy See and their diaspora communities.
Minister Fleming will also meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State (PM) for discussion on bilateral and geopolitical issues.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Fleming said: “I am very honoured to have a private audience with the Holy Father and to have the opportunity to recognise the role he and the Holy See plays in building peace. In an uncertain world, this work is more important than ever.”
The Minister will recognise the long and historic links between Ireland and Rome, with the launch of the new ‘Ireland in Rome – Religious and Historical Connections’ Map. The Map covers 12 sites in Rome with strong and enduring links to Ireland. He will also witness the signing of an agreement between the Irish College and the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See on the digitisation of Monsignor John Hagan’s papers. Monsignor Hagan was Vice Rector and Rector of the Pontifical Irish College from 1904-1930, in the period before diplomatic relations were established between the Holy See and the Irish State.
As part of his visit, Minister Fleming will meet with members of the Irish community in Rome and visit the training ground of the Rome Hibernia GAA Club, which was founded in 2015. It is one of two active GAA clubs in Italy, the other in Milan.
Commenting on the impact of the Irish diaspora in Italy, Minster Fleming said: “The people to people links between Ireland and Italy and the Vatican go back centuries. From St Columbanus, to the Ulster Earls Hugh O’ Neill and Rory O’Donnell, Franciscan Luke Wadding to Monsignors John Hagan and Hugh O’Flaherty, Irish people, religious and lay, have made enormous contributions to Italy, the Holy See and to Ireland across multiple fields.
“It is especially pleasing to see that continue today with some 5,000 Irish people living in Italy. I look forward to meeting some of them during my visit and also visiting Rome GAA club and hearing how Italy has welcomed them.”
