Brazil's Lula discusses peace, poverty and inequality with pope

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talks with appointed Substitute for General Affairs of the Vatican's Secretariat of State Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, during this meeting with Pope Francis, at the Vatican, June 21, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis met Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday and discussed a range of common concerns including peace, poverty, inequality and the environment, the Vatican said.

Although the Vatican did not specifically mention Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Lula made clear before the meeting that seeking an end to the war was a priority.