“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,” Fleming said ahead of the trip, adding: “In an uncertain world, this work is more important than ever.”
He went on to highlight the deep historical connections between the Catholic faith and Irish culture.
“The people-to-people links between Ireland and Italy and the Vatican go back centuries,” he said.
“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, both 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 to hear how Italy has welcomed them.”
Minister Fleming is also set to meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, to discuss bilateral relations and geopolitical matters.
The Minister’s visit aims to highlight the deep and historic connections between Ireland and Rome through the launch of the “Ireland in Rome – Religious and Historical Connections” Map.
This map outlines 12 significant sites in Rome that hold enduring ties to Ireland.
Additionally, the Minister will observe the signing of an agreement between the Irish College and the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See for the digitisation of Monsignor John Hagan’s papers.
Monsignor Hagan served as Vice Rector and Rector of the Pontifical Irish College from 1904–1930, prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Holy See.
The Minister will also meet with members of the Irish community in Rome and visit the training ground of the Rome Hibernia GAA Club, founded in 2015.
This is one of two active GAA clubs in Italy, alongside another based in Milan.