Vatican City.- President Luis Abinader met Thursday with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to discuss matters of state, the international geopolitical situation and challenges facing Haiti, Cuba and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Abinader said representatives of the Holy See’s Foreign Affairs Commission also participated in the meeting, where they addressed issues of interest to the Dominican Republic and the international community.
The discussions included the economic impact of the war involving Iran, particularly pressure on hydrocarbon prices and the resulting effects on the cost of goods and services amid continued global uncertainty.
Haiti was another key topic, with Vatican officials expressing concern about the country’s crisis and questioning the feasibility of holding elections. Abinader said the Dominican delegation presented its position and recommendations regarding the situation.
The president described the meeting with Parolin as positive and said they also discussed matters concerning the Catholic Church in the Dominican Republic, including the appointment of a new Archbishop of Santo Domingo. They also addressed the country’s progress in combating hunger, which has been recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Abinader also formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit the Dominican Republic in 2027. He said the invitation remains in place but that the Pope’s health will determine whether the planned visit can take place. The president expressed his wishes for the pontiff’s speedy recovery.
Abinader also said he hopes Cardinal Parolin will visit the Dominican Republic soon, highlighting the close relationship between the country and the Holy See.