Pope Leo XIV Meets Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Vatican

Vatican City, 6 June 2025: Pope Leo XIV met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace on Friday, the Holy See Press Office reported. The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the Holy See and Italy, as well as addressing key international issues and domestic issues concerning Italy. President Mattarella was accompanied by his children and grandchildren during the meeting.

Following the audience with the Pope, President Mattarella met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Msgr. Mirosław Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States, at the Secretariat of State.

According to an official statement from the Holy See Press Office, the discussions at the Secretariat of State were “cordial”, with both sides expressing appreciation for the strong bilateral relations between Italy and the Holy See. The talks also covered major international concerns, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

In addition, the two sides addressed various social challenges facing Italy and also emphasised the Catholic Church’s vital contribution to the country's social and cultural life.

Courtesy: Vatican News