President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his wife, Janja Lula da Silva, had a significant encounter with Pope Francis on Wednesday (21) during their visit to Rome. Lula, who is in the Italian capital for a series of meetings with various authorities, took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Pope for his support during his imprisonment at the Federal Police headquarters in Curitiba.
The meeting between Lula and Pope Francis was captured in images released by the Palácio do Planalto, showcasing the warm exchange between the Brazilian president and the leader of the Catholic Church (see the gallery above). Lula shared his appreciation for the audience and highlighted the constructive conversation held with Pope Francis about fostering peace worldwide, as he conveyed his thoughts on social media.
Ahead of his visit, Lula expressed his intention to discuss pressing issues with the Pope, including the need for concerted efforts to address inequality and establish a coalition of nations dedicated to advocating for peace in Ukraine, which has been affected by the invasion of Russia. Additionally, Lula extended an invitation to Pope Francis to visit the Círio de Nazaré in Belém, a significant religious event, and symbolically presented him with a replica of the image of Our Lady of Nazaré, the patroness of the Amazon.
In return, Pope Francis gifted Lula with a symbolic piece highlighting the fragility of peace, crafted in the workshops of the Vatican. This gesture emphasized the Pope’s commitment to promoting harmony and tranquility globally.
During his stay in Rome, President Lula also held meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri. These discussions further aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and address relevant topics of mutual interest between Brazil and Italy.
Furthermore, Janja, Brazil’s First Lady, who follows the Orisa religion originating from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, also expressed her gratitude to the Pope for his steadfast support, which played a significant role in securing her husband’s release from prison. As a devotee of Orisa Osun, the water goddess, Janja has publicly embraced the Orisa religion, finding solace and happiness within its teachings.
Reports suggest that President Lula, who was recently honored with the title “Omo Oodua” by the Ooni of Ife, Aroole Oodua, Kabiyesi Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during his visit to Brazil for the inauguration of Orisa day, acknowledged Orisa religion as a cherished heritage of the Brazilian people. Lula remarked that Pope Francis is a progressive individual who has won the hearts of many, regardless of their faiths, demonstrating his inclusive nature and broad appeal.
