Today, Pope Francis is paying an official visit to the Council of Europe. Following an invitation by Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland at a private audience accorded at Vatican City, His Holiness will address the Organisation, as it celebrates its 65th anniversary, in a solemn session gathering all its institutions (12.40 pm Strasbourg time). Pope Francis was welcomed by Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, by Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel (on behalf of the Belgian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers), by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly Anne Brasseur, by the President of the Congress Jean-Claude Frécon, by the President of the European Court of Human Rights Dean Spielmann, by the Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks and by the President of the Conference of INGOs Jean-Marie Heydt. Photo: Jean-Claude Frécon (2nd from left to right) at the official gallery during the meeting with the Pope Francis