This morning, Pope Francis and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) met privately in the Vatican.
The Holy See Press Office announced the meeting only, electing not to share the specifics of what they met about.
As head of the WHO since 2017, Dr. Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian, is widely recognized for his contributions to global health and pivotal role in the worldwide management of COVID-19.
Under his direction, the WHO has delivered billions of vaccine doses and declared COVID-19 no longer a global health emergency.
Pope Francis and Dr. Ghebreyesus first met in 2018 at the Vatican, where afterwards he said:
“I am honored and humbled to have met His Holiness Pope Francis and to discover that we share so many of the same concerns.
I am delighted to have Pope Francisā support for our effort to extend the right of life and health to all people.”
The Holy See has also historically demonstrated support for the WHO’s initiatives, donating to the WHO emergency fund in 2020.
Ghebreyesus’ tenure, however, hasn’t been controversy-free.
The WHO’s positions on abortion and transgender issues have drawn criticism from Catholic groups.
