Vatican City, 7 October 2021: the Federal Chancellor’s visit to Rome began with a tour of St Peter’s Basilica.
Horst Bredekamp, an art historian from Berlin, explains the unique building. The Federal Chancellor was accompanied by her husband, Joachim Sauer.
In 1950, excavations under St Peter’s Basilica revealed graves dating back to the Roman Empire, which are believed to include the grave of the apostle St Peter himself.
Michaelangelo’s Pietà is one of the most important works of art in St Peter’s Basilica, which the sculptor created in his mid-twenties. It is believed to have been completed around 1500.
Following this, the Federal Chancellor was given a private audience with Pope Francis.
Following the meeting, Merkel described how her talks with Pope Francis had covered global political challenges such as climate change and also challenges for the Church itself.
Following this, they moved on to the Chigi Palace, official residence of the Italian Prime Minister.
She was welcomed by the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi.
During their working lunch, Merkel and Draghi discussed a range of current issues.
Angela Merkel is already looking forward to the time after she has stepped down as Chancellor when she can return to the city as a private individual. “I will be able to live out my love for Italy in a completely different form when I am no longer the Federal Chancellor,” she said.
At a joint press conference, Draghi praised the Federal Chancellor for her services to the European Union, speaking of how she had played “an absolutely decisive role in shaping the future of Europe over her 16 years.”
That afternoon, the Federal Chancellor once again met Pope Francis, this time outside the Colosseum.
The Federal Chancellor took part in the closing ceremony of the peace conference at the Sant’Egidio community.
The Federal Chancellor joined the head of the Catholic Church in addressing the guests.
The community of Sant’Egidio has been and is still involved in many successful peace negotiations. It has organised an annual peace conference since 1986.