Vatican City: In a series of high-level diplomatic engagements, Pope Leo XIV has welcomed several heads of state to the Apostolic Palace for private audiences, marking a significant moment of global outreach early in his papacy.
Over the past days, leaders from across the globe — including Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — met with the new head of the Catholic Church for wide-ranging discussions that blended politics, faith, and humanitarian concerns.
On Monday, May 19, Pope Leo XIV hosted Colombian President Petro and Australian Prime Minister Albanese in separate private audiences. The leaders were received with full honors at the Apostolic Palace, where the meetings underscored the Holy See's commitment to global dialogue and cooperation.
Following the papal meetings, both leaders held talks with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. Key topics included the strengthening of bilateral relations, the Catholic Church’s role in education and social welfare, and the socio-political dynamics in their respective countries.
A day earlier, on May 18, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, a meeting laden with personal significance. Before his elevation to the papacy, Pope Leo spent a decade serving the Church in Peru — a period fondly remembered by both the people and their leader.
President Boluarte expressed heartfelt gratitude, calling the Pope a “servant of God” who devoted himself to uplifting the poor and expanding the Church’s mission of evangelization throughout the nation. She described the visit as a reflection of Peru’s deep affection for a spiritual leader who once walked their streets and shared in their struggles.
The Holy Father also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska. Their conversation centered on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Pope’s repeated appeals for a peaceful and dignified resolution.
President Zelensky thanked Pope Leo XIV for his continued solidarity, particularly his public prayers and advocacy for Ukraine’s suffering population. He echoed the Pope’s call for “a just peace and a dignified life for all,” emphasizing the need for moral clarity in times of global crisis.
These meetings reflect Pope Leo XIV’s early commitment to global engagement, humanitarian outreach, and spiritual leadership that transcends borders. His papacy, while young, is already shaping up to be one rooted in deep pastoral care and a diplomatic approach that invites dialogue over division.
From South America to Eastern Europe and the Pacific, Pope Leo’s first encounters as Pontiff signal a clear message: the Church remains a vital voice on the world stage — one that listens, supports, and seeks justice for all.