Serageldin's visit to Rome started with an unusual and very gratifying event. His Holiness Pope Francis met him and members of the NGIC delegation , and encouraged them in our planned deliberations, since he himself had just returned from Japan where he visited the site(s) of the Nuclear bombs in 1945, and where he called for the abolition of nuclear weapons of mass destruction.
For many of them, the visit with HH Pope Francis was the highlight of the our visit to Rome. He is a person of remarkable presence, charisma and simplicity. He has a unique grace that makes his gentle words deeply touching. He took time to have a short personal chat with each of us. Indeed, a most memorable visit to the Vatican.