Queen Silvia at the Vatican

Queen Silvia and Pope Francis, November 24th 2016, The Vatican

(photo kungahuset.se)

Queen Silvia has spent two days at the Vatican this week and after opening an historic art exhibition on November 23rd, the Swedish consort had her eyes on the future on November 24th. She was taking part in a seminar on drugs and the impact on society, And, as in many things, Silvia's thoughts were on the impact on children and young people and ways to improve the lives of those affected.

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Queen Silvia was taking part in a two day conference organised by Pope Francis called 'Narcotics: Problems and Solutions of this Global Issue'.  It was held at the Vatican Assembly of Sciences. During a brief break in the conference, there was a chance for Silvia and Francis to chat - the two have met several times before and just last month the Pope was in Sweden for an event marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation attended by the country's King and Queen.

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Queen Silvia opened the seminar. In her speech, she highlighted how poorer children around the world are more likely to end up dependent on drugs and called for better education and information to prevent people becoming addicted.
 

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Queen Silvia spent two days in the Vatican and from there she was due to travel to Germany to receive the Bavarian Stifterpreis.