Wine producers gathered at the Vatican Apostolic Palace this week for a discussion as part of an initiative called “The Economy of St. Francis and the World of Italian Wine”.

Organised by Veronafiere-Vinitaly, the establishment responsible for staging Italy’s biggest annual trade show, the private audience with the Pope on 22 January was attended by more than 100 wine producers and trade representatives.

During his welcome address, Pope Francis told guests that “wine, land, agricultural skills and enterprise are gifts from God.”

Continuing, he appeared to favour the democratisation of wine, reminding his audience that wine and the produce of the land is for everyone, “not just for those who have more opportunities”.