【Photo Diary】 (2) Visit to Italy, the Vatican and Malta

Published on February 20, 2023

I would like to share with you some of the photographs taken during my visit to Italy, the Vatican and Malta between January 22 and 28, 2023, as chairman of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.

[January 24, Rome and the Vatican]

Participants on the second day of the International Symposium at the Vatican on Hansen’s Disease titled “Leave No One Behind.”

 

With WHO officials in charge of leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease.

 

Commemorative photo with participants from various countries.

 

[January 25, Rome]
 

With President Alvaro Lario of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a U.N. agency headquartered in Rome. I suggested that The Nippon Foundation, IFAD and the Ugandan government work together to expand One Stop Centre Associations (OSCA) to empower farmers and establish a sustainable value chain in rural communities in the east African nation. Mr. Lario said he is willing to pursue such idea with me.


 

With Fr. Mark A. Lewis, SJ, rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, a pontifical university located in Rome. In response to his request for my advice on how the university can contribute to early detection and early treatment of Hansen’s disease, I suggested it launch an intensive course by inviting outside experts and have the course include study tours to engage with those affected by leprosy. He said he might raise the issue at the university probably on the next World Leprosy Day in January 2024.

 

[January 26, the Vatican]
 

(Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
I have an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on January 26, 2023. I asked for the Pope's support in eliminating leprosy and the prejudice and discrimination associated with the disease. In response, the Pope expressed his gratitude for my work as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and said it was necessary to continue activities against leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, encouraged by the fact it is curable.


 

(Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
At the end of our meeting, the Pope agreed to my request to pose for a photograph next to a banner reading "Don't Forget Hansen's Disease," a campaign that I initiated in 2021 to ensure that leprosy is not overlooked even amid the coronavirus pandemic. "This one photograph will help persons affected by leprosy all over the world," I told the Pope.

 

(To be continued)

Details of my audience with Pope Francis can be seen on this blog on February 8-9.

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【Photo Diary】 (1) Visit to Italy, the Vatican and Malta

February 20, 2023
I would like to share with you some of the photographs taken during my visit to Italy, the Vatican and Malta between January 22 and 28, 2023, as chairman of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination. During the trip, I first attended the two-day International Symposium at the Vatican on Hansen’s Disease titled “Leave No One Behind” that also featured the launch ce

【Photo Diary】 (3) Visit to Italy, the Vatican and Malta

February 20, 2023
I would like to share with you some of the photographs taken during my visit to Italy, the Vatican and Malta between January 22 and 28, 2023, as chairman of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.[January 27, Valletta, Malta]With President George Vella of the Republic of Malta. I invited him to attend a summit of island nations The Nippon Foundation plans to orga