Greg Barker, MP for Bexhill and Battle recently took part in a historic visit to the Holy See to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic links between the UK and the Vatican.
The Ministerial delegation led by Minister without Portfolio Baroness Warsi, on behalf of the Prime Minister, met Holy See officials at the Vatican to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest including inter-faith dialogue, human rights, environment and climate change, and international development.
The Ministerial delegation was also received by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI following the General Audience in the Paolo VI Audience Hall where they were presented with the gift of a silver Papal medal.
Following his return to the UK, Greg said “It was a great honour to be received by His Holiness and while there are clearly certain issues we wouldn’t agree there are huge areas of mutual concern, particularly in relation to my brief of climate change. I was flattered to be presented with a Papal medal which, I in turn, will be passing onto St Richards Catholic College in Bexhill.”