Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV received the President of the Republic of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in a private audience at the Vatican on Monday morning, underscoring the close and enduring ties between the Holy See and the Portuguese Republic.
Following the meeting with the Pope, President Rebelo de Sousa held discussions at the Secretariat of State with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Under-Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
According to a communiqué issued by the Holy See Press Office, the talks at the Secretariat of State took place in a cordial atmosphere. Both sides reaffirmed their mutual appreciation for the strong bilateral relations between the Holy See and Portugal, as well as the traditionally positive relationship between the Portuguese state and the Catholic Church within the country.
The discussions also addressed the severe impact of Storm Kristin, with particular attention given to the human, social, and material damage caused by the extreme weather event. The Vatican statement noted shared concern over the suffering endured by affected communities and the importance of solidarity and recovery efforts.
In addition, the exchange extended to current national and international socio-political developments. Special focus was placed on Portuguese-speaking countries, reflecting Portugal’s historical and cultural connections across several regions of the world. Within this broader context, both parties highlighted the need for sustained and coordinated efforts in promoting peace and stability at the global level.
The visit reaffirmed the Holy See’s ongoing dialogue with Portugal on humanitarian, social, and international issues, emphasizing cooperation rooted in shared values and a common commitment to peace.