Vatican City: In a warm gesture symbolizing affection from the land Down Under, Australia’s newly appointed Ambassador to the Holy See, Keith Pitt, brought not only diplomatic credentials but also an assortment of gifts rich in cultural meaning to Pope Leo XIV during their first official meeting this week.
Among the carefully selected offerings were macadamia nuts, Bundaberg rum, red wine, Tim Tams, and ANZAC biscuits—staples of Australia’s culinary identity. Yet, one item stood out in particular: a handmade quilt crafted by primary school students from a small coastal town in Queensland.
The private audience with Pope Leo XIV came just weeks after his election, following the passing of Pope Francis. Despite the ceremonial gravity of the occasion, the exchange was marked by heartfelt interaction and thoughtful symbolism.
Ambassador Pitt, accompanied by his family and embassy staff, arrived at the Vatican escorted by Swiss Guards, with their vehicles flying both the Vatican and Australian flags. Describing the Pope as “genuinely gracious and attentive,” Pitt noted that Pope Leo’s election had been warmly received in Australia.
Perhaps the most touching of all gifts was the quilt made by students at St. Francis Catholic Primary School in Tannum Sands, a small town located six hours north of Brisbane. Each class contributed a panel featuring local wildlife and scenes from their daily environment, depicting kangaroos, kookaburras, goannas, and magpies in colorful, hand-drawn designs.
Ambassador Pitt revealed that the project came together on short notice, thanks to his brother—an educator at the school—who helped deliver the quilt just in time for the papal visit. “The Pope smiled and studied the illustrations,” Pitt recalled. “He even asked if anything was missing, to which my brother jokingly replied, ‘Well, there are deadly snakes from time to time, but it’s Australia, so that’s expected.’”
While diplomatic meetings are often formal, the Pope’s genuine curiosity about the children’s artwork stood out. “What moved me most,” said Pitt, “was that these young kids, from a remote part of the world, recognized there was a new Pope and wanted to send him something from their hearts.”
The quilt, a symbol of community spirit and youthful creativity, was a reminder that the papacy touches lives even in the furthest corners of the globe. The Pope was said to be deeply appreciative of the gesture, seeing it not merely as a gift, but as a message of unity from Australia’s younger generation.
This is not the first connection Pope Leo XIV has with the continent. During the meeting, he shared with the ambassador that he had previously visited Australia multiple times, even recounting a long road journey between Brisbane and Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who met Pope Leo within the first 24 hours of his papacy, also extended a formal invitation for a visit to Australia. Ambassador Pitt echoed this invitation, saying the Pope would be “received with open arms should he choose to return.”
With this endearing diplomatic encounter, Australia’s voice at the Vatican took on a uniquely human tone, blending the sincerity of schoolchildren, the pride of national tradition, and the warm embrace of faith. Through a quilt and a few humble biscuits, a powerful message of goodwill was sewn across continents—connecting a small Catholic school in Queensland with the heart of global Catholicism.