Pope Leo XIV paid a visit to Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on Tuesday.

The American pontiff was welcomed on his first visit to the presidential palace since the start of his pontificate on May 8 by Mattarella himself and the Italian and Vatican anthems were played in its courtyard.

Premier Giorgia Meloni was also at the Quirinal Palace for the pope’s visit along with other senior Italian institutional figures.

A massive security operation was staged for the Pope’s route from Piazza Pio XII, the border between Vatican City and Italy, to the Quirinal, which was a papal palace until 1870.

Motorcycle-mounted presidential Cuirassier guards escorted Leo on the journey.

The encounter follows Mattarella’s visit to the Vatican on June 6.