Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met His Holiness Pope Francis in Vatican City on Wednesday. He was accompanied by his 5T Secretary VK Pandian.
Patnaik expressed his pleasure meeting His Holiness and thanked him for his warm audience. He wished the Pope good health and a long life.
On behalf of Odisha and its people, Patnaik presented His Holiness a Pattachitra painting which depicts the ‘Tree of Life’.
Many priests and sisters from India, who were at the Vatican, were happy to see Patnaik and wished him well.
Notably, the World Food Programme (WFP) has extended an invitation to Patnaik to visit its headquarters in Rome and share the transformative initiatives of Odisha in the fields of food security and disaster management.
Patnaik will meet WFP Executive Director David Beasley and have detailed discussions on Odisha’s partnership with the WFP and future projects which will further help the State in ensuring food security in a sustainable manner.
Further, Patnaik will also meet the Odia diaspora from various parts of Europe. He will discuss the possible ways to engage with the diaspora in promoting the art and culture of Odisha and also enabling them to partner in the State’s transformational journey.
On his way back, Naveen will meet investors from the Middle East and adjoining regions in Dubai. He will extend an invitation to the potential investors to come and invest in Odisha and assure them all support and facilitation by the State Government. A high-level industrial delegation from Odisha will be present during the investors’ meet.
Patnaik will meet the Odia diaspora from the Middle East in Dubai and discuss with them Odisha’s transformational journey over the last two decades and invite them to partner with the State Government. The CM is scheduled to return to Odisha on June 30.