Vatican City: In a cordial and private meeting at the Vatican on Monday, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, accompanied by First Lady Janja Lula da Silva. The discussion, described by the Brazilian head of state, focused on the intersection of faith, social responsibility, and pressing global challenges.
President Lula da Silva, in a post shared on X, highlighted that the conversation touched on religion, spirituality, and Brazil’s role in addressing worldwide issues. The President also extended his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV for his recent Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, noting the Pope’s central message that “faith cannot be separated from love for the poorest.”
During the audience, President Lula da Silva invited Pope Leo to attend COP30, the United Nations’ upcoming Conference on Climate Change, scheduled for November in Belém, Brazil, deep in the Amazon region. While the Pope is unable to personally attend, the Vatican is expected to be represented at the summit. The President also extended a formal invitation for Pope Leo XIV to visit Brazil in the future, reflecting strong diplomatic and spiritual ties between the Holy See and the South American nation.
President Lula da Silva is currently in Rome to participate in the World Food Forum, organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasizing global collaboration on food security and sustainable development. The Vatican meeting underscores the shared commitment of both Brazil and the Holy See to social justice, environmental stewardship, and humanitarian concerns.