Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV welcomed the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace on Thursday morning. The visit, which marks one of Duda’s final international engagements before the conclusion of his presidency in August, included discussions on several critical issues, with a strong emphasis on the war in Ukraine.
President Duda, who has served two consecutive terms since 2015, will be succeeded by President-elect Karol Nawrocki, who is set to be sworn in on August 6 following his victory in the recent Polish elections.
Following his meeting with the Holy Father, President Duda held further discussions with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations.
According to an official statement from the Holy See Press Office, the discussions were marked by cordiality and mutual respect. Both the Vatican and the Polish delegation expressed satisfaction with the close diplomatic and spiritual ties shared between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on Poland’s current socio-political climate, while the international portion of the conversation centered on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine a subject of shared concern and humanitarian interest.
The audience reaffirmed Poland's significance as a partner to the Holy See in promoting peace, stability, and defense of Christian values, especially in the face of Europe’s ongoing geopolitical challenges.