President Sergio Mattarella had a meeting with Pope Leo XIV on Friday during his first official visit to the Vatican since the American was elected the leader of the Catholic Church.

The Italian head of State was accompanied by his daughter Laura and by Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

Italy’s Ambassador to the Holy See Francesco Di Nitto was present too.

After being received by the pope, Mattarella subsequently met Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski, the Under-Secretary for Relations with States.
    “During the cordial talks held at the Secretariat of State, appreciation was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations,” the Holy See said in a statement.

“International topics were discussed, with particular attention to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“The conversation then turned to various topics of a social nature, with special reference to the Church’s contribution to the life of the country”.