Leo XIV meets with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on first state visit to Italy

Pope Leo XIV met this Tuesday, October 14, with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, highlighting the strong ties between both States and the need to work for lasting peace in all parts of the world.

Mattarella welcomed the Holy Father and his delegation – which included the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, Sister Raffaella Petrini – at his residence in Rome to strengthen the historic political ties between the Holy See and Italy.

The Holy Father spoke of the “sincere friendship and fruitful reciprocal collaboration” between Italy and the Pontiffs and stressed the need for both States to contribute to multilateral peace processes in regions such as the Middle East and Europe.

“I therefore renew the heartfelt call to continue working to restore peace in all parts of the world and to increasingly cultivate and promote the principles of justice, equity and cooperation among peoples, which are its inalienable foundation,” he said in his speech on October 14.

Leo XIV praised the Italian government’s commitment to “alleviating situations of hardship caused by war and poverty,” particularly its efforts to support children in Gaza.

“These are solid and effective contributions to build a dignified, peaceful and prosperous coexistence for all members of the human family,” he stated.

This Tuesday, the Holy Father donated 5,000 doses of antibiotics for children in Gaza following the opening of key humanitarian corridors to the city, after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Monday.

In light of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, in 2026, León also spoke about the “urgent question of caring for our ‘common home’.”

“Saint Francis taught us to praise the Creator through respect for all creatures, proclaiming his message from the geographical heart of the (Italian) peninsula and transmitting it, through the beauty of his writings and the testimony of his life and that of his brothers, through the generations to us,” he said.

“For this reason, I believe that Italy has received, in a special way, the mission of transmitting to nations a culture that recognizes the earth as ‘a sister with whom we share life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to welcome us,’” he continued, quoting Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, Laudato Si’.

Earlier this month, the Italian Senate approved a bill that reestablishes the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4, as national holiday.

Toward the end of his speech, the Holy Father noted the declining birth rate in Italy and called for a “concerted effort” to promote decisions at all levels in favor of the family and to defend and protect life “in all its phases.”

“In particular, I wish to underline the importance of guaranteeing all families the indispensable support of decent work, under fair conditions and with due attention to the needs related to motherhood and fatherhood,” he stated.

“Let us do everything possible to give confidence to families, especially young families, so that they can look to the future with serenity and grow in harmony,” he continued.

In his welcome speech, Mattarella spoke of the “indissoluble bond” between Italy and the Vatican and praised the work of the founding fathers of the European Union, “many of whom had a Christian background” and rebuilt peace in the region after the Second World War.

Recalling Pope Leo’s constant messages of peace since his election, the Italian president said political leaders have the responsibility to “reject the glorification of conflict” and “foster dialogue and mutual understanding.”

“That peace, as you emphasized, begins with each of us, and that is why it is so essential to disarm, disarm our hearts and disarm our words,” he said.