Meeting between Pope Leo XIV and the president of Italy Sergio Matellla

Pope Leo XIV received this morning at Audiencia, at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

According to the brief statement of the Vatican Press Office, the Italian President subsequently met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, accompanied by Mons. Mirosław Wachowski, undersecretary for relations with the States.

During the “cordial colloquiums in the Secretary of State, satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations,” reads the statement this morning.

Likewise, international issues were addressed, with particular attention to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East.

In the course of the conversation, some social issues were also discussed, with special reference to the contribution of the Church in the life of the country.

This is the first official meeting between the president and Pope Leo XIV, although both have already greeted themselves on May 18, at the end of the Mass at the beginning of his pontificate, held in the Plaza de San Pedro del Vaticano.

Shortly before 9 am on June 6, Mattarella arrived by car to the courtyard of San Dámaso del Vaticano accompanied by his children and grandchildren, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the Council, Antonio Tajani; of the Italian ambassador to the Holy See, Francesco Di Nitto; and of the Secretary General of the Quirinale, Ugo Zampetti.

There they were received by the regent of the Prefecture of the Pontifical House, Mons. Leonardo Sapienza and the Swiss Guard. After a few brief greetings, the anthem of the Republic of Italy was sung.

The Holy Father received the Italian President with a red muleta and papal stole in the “Tronetto Sala” of the Vatican Apostolic Palace. As he said Vatican NewsThe private audience lasted just under an hour.