The minister and the Pope agreed on the urgent need to defend the environment, but also to make progress in achieving peace and protecting labour rights.

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Yolanda Díaz and Pope Francis

Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, received in private audience by the PopeThe Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, received in a private audience by Pope Francis.
The Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and the Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, held a private audience with Pope Francis in the Private Library of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, where both expressed their concern about the devastation being caused by the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, but have also discussed issues of concern to both, such as the preservation of the environment and the protection of human rights, including labour rights.

Díaz, already received in audience in December 2021, agreed with the Argentine pontiff on the defence of decent work, dignity in the world of work, and the need to join forces in the framework of a social and solidarity economy. “This is very important for giving hope today in Spain, in Italy and throughout the world”, said the minister, who shares the Pope’s view that hope never disappoints. “And I also believe this, and we have to do everything possible to guarantee new social rights to reduce inequality in the world”, she reiterated.

The Minister of Employment explained the measures undertaken by her portfolio to advance rights and improve the lives of working people, such as the increase in the minimum interprofessional wage, and the initiatives that are going to be undertaken in this legislature, such as the democratisation of companies and the reduction of the working day without a salary reduction. “Pope Francis is one of the best ambassadors for decent work in the world”, said the Vice-President.

Díaz commented that they also discussed war conflicts such as the one currently ravaging Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, among others. “The Pope is acting as a spokesperson for humanity when he calls for a permanent ceasefire,” she said.