Mattarella met Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella , met Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. It was the first official visit to the Vatican, while the first in-person greeting between Robert Prevost and Mattarella took place on May 18 , at the conclusion of the Mass marking the beginning of the pontificate.

With children and grandchildren

Mattarella was accompanied by his three children, Laura , Bernardo and Francesco , their respective spouses and five grandchildren. The delegation that accompanied Mattarella included the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the Council Antonio Tajani. Among others, the Italian Ambassador to the Holy See Francesco Di Nitto and the Secretary General of the Quirinale , Ugo Zampetti, were present.

Tricolor flowers

The head of state, accompanied by his daughter Laura, was welcomed by the regent of the prefecture of the papal household, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza . The presidential delegation arrived in the courtyard of San Damaso, which overlooks the apostolic palace, shortly before nine. A composition of tricolor flowers was placed in a fountain. After the audience with the Pope, Mattarella met with the Secretary of State Pietro Parolin . The president left the Vatican shortly before 11.

After Francis

At the end of the morning, Pope Leo also received the President of the European Council , Antonio Costa .

During the pontificate of Pope Francis , Mattarella visited the Vatican twice , the last time in December 2021 at the end of his first term, with his children, grandchildren and his entire staff. It was a farewell visit. But a month later he was re-elected.