Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV received Italian President Sergio Mattarella in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace on Friday, as part of a significant diplomatic exchange between the Holy See and the Italian Republic. The President was accompanied by members of his family, including his children and grandchildren.

The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, was described as warm and respectful. Following the audience with the Pope, President Mattarella held further discussions with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski, the Vatican’s Under-Secretary for Relations with States.

According to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office, the discussions at the Secretariat of State highlighted the "excellent state of bilateral relations" between Italy and the Holy See. The talks also covered key international developments, with particular emphasis on the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

In addition to global concerns, the dialogue also turned to domestic matters, including Italy’s social challenges. Both parties acknowledged the Catholic Church’s enduring role in shaping the moral, cultural, and civic life of the Italian nation.

The Pope’s meeting with President Mattarella reaffirmed the close historical and diplomatic ties between the Vatican and Italy, while also emphasizing the shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and social solidarity in a time of international tension.