President Michael D Higgins has said Pope Francis faces grave difficulties in the institution of which he is head but "his heart is in the right place".
Mr Higgins had a private audience with the Pope at the Vatican today.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr Higgins said they discussed the role of women in the church and the pontiff's recent announcement welcoming the space that would be given to the blessing of civil unions and the position of the LGBT community.
"He faces grave difficulties in the institution of which he is the head and I think I get a sense of that nearly on every time I meet him but his heart is in the right place."
Mr Higgins said he had been asked by the LGBT community to communicate to the Pope their appreciation of the direction in which he is seeking to move.
"On the area of dignity and respect ... I don’t give instructions to the Pope, but the Pope knows where I stand on respecting the expressions of the human body in all its circumstances and freedoms and he has no difficulty with that."
The two also discussed climate change and migration.
President Higgins presented Pope Francis with an artwork called "The Expelled" by Irish sculptor John Behan.
The President chose to present this piece to Francis in recognition of his work in drawing public attention to the plight of refugees and migrants across the world.
Following his private audience with Pope Francis, President Higgins held a bilateral meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin.
Later, President Higgins laid a wreath at the Campo Santo graveyard at the Vatican to honour Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty who saved thousands of Jews in World War II.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the death of Mgr O’Flaherty who is buried in Cahersiveen in Co Kerry.
President Michael D Higgins laying a wreath at Campo di Santo to commemorate Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty who saved thousands of Jews in WWII @rtenews pic.twitter.com/RqrXmTBfLM
— Sandra Hurley (@sandra_hurley) October 19, 2023
President Higgins will also attend an exhibition at the college regarding the role played by Irish scholars and missionaries in the shaping of a shared European identity.
The events form part of a five-day programme in Rome which coincides with the President's participation in the World Food Forum.
President Higgins has previously met President of Italy Sergio Mattarella during the trip and will provide the keynote address at the closing session of the forum having already addressed the opening session of the event alongside the annual observance of World Food Day at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
