BARI, Italy — The Group of Seven leading industrialized nations turned their attention to migration, artificial intelligence, economic security and the Indo-Pacific region on Friday, the second and final day of their summit in Italy. The gathering in a luxury resort in Italy's southern Puglia region also discussed other major topics, such as financial support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, climate change, Iran, the situation in the Red Sea, gender equality and China's industrial policy and economic security. "We are working together and with others to address the pressing challenges of our time," the G7 leaders said in a final communique, noting their solidarity with Ukraine, support for a deal that would lead to an immediate cease-fire and release of hostages in Gaza, investment in sustainable infrastructure in Africa and commitments to address climate change and migration.
Pope Francis gives an address Friday at the G7 summit in Borgo Egnazia, southern Italy. Divisions emerged during the summit, however, notably over the lack of a reference to abortion in the summit's final declaration. Asked if the G7 gathering has lived up to expectations, French President Emmanuel Macron was circumspect.
"The aim of the G7 is to create convergence and be able to remove misunderstandings. It's not a place where you decide emergency measures or regulate things," he said, adding that there was "true convergences on Ukraine and Mideast." Migration was the first topic of discussions Friday, .
