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European Heritage Days national coordinators gather in Bern to explore “Heritage at Risk” and future themes
National coordinators of the European Heritage Days (EHD) programme gathered in Bern, Switzerland, from 19 to 20 May 2026 for the annual Assembly of Coordinators, hosted by the Swiss Cultural Heritage Network in cooperation with the Council of Europe.
Official Visit of the Secretary General to the Holy See - Audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
Secretary General Alain Berset paid an official visit to the Holy See, where he was received in audience by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. The Secretary General conveyed his warmest congratulations to His Holiness on his election and took the opportunity to reaffirm the deep appreciation of the...
On the passing of Pope Francis: a peacemaker and a leader of our times
Today, on Easter Monday, a sacred day of reflection in the Christian tradition, the world has lost a peacemaker. The Council of Europe mourns the passing of Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church and of the Holy See, one of our Observer States, and a fervent defender of European values....
Pope Francis receives Parliamentary Assembly President Rousopoulos at private audience
The President of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Theodoros Rousopoulos, met His Holiness Pope Francis on Friday 8 November in the Vatican. In their discussion, they emphasised the importance of safeguarding human dignity and promoting human rights. They addressed pressing issues...
MONEYVAL publishes follow-up reports on Bulgaria, the Holy See and San Marino
The Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) has published three follow-up reports evaluating progress by Bulgaria, the Holy See (including the Vatican City State) and San Marino in implementing the Financial Action Task...
Secretary General meets Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić received a courtesy visit by Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The exchange of views focused on Council of Europe-Holy See relations and on the importance of the inter-religious dimension of intercultural dialogue. The relevance of the...
MONEYVAL recognises progress made by the Holy See and encourages it to further strengthen measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism
In a new report MONEYVAL encourages the Holy See (including the Vatican City State) to further strengthen measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body draws up a comprehensive assessment of the country’s level of compliance...
Marija Pejčinović Burić meets the Holy See’s Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić met with Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Holy See’s observer status at the Council of Europe. She welcomed the Holy See’s long standing commitment to the...
Secretary General visits Vatican for audience with Pope Francis
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will be in Vatican City on Thursday on an official visit to the Holy See for an audience with Pope Francis. Meetings are scheduled with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and other members of the Curia. The...
MONEYVAL publishes a report on the Holy See
Holy See has made progress in combatting money laundering, but needs to step up efforts to obtain prosecutions
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