European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Thursday described her meeting with Pope Leone XIV as a “significant moment,” highlighting shared reflections on advancing peace through dialogue in Europe and beyond.
In a post published on her official social media account, Metsola expressed gratitude for the clarity of the Pontiff’s intentions and the opportunity to exchange views on global and European challenges. The meeting took place on 29th January at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, where Metsola was received by Pope Leone XIV during an official audience.
Metsola is in Rome for a series of high-level institutional engagements. She was accompanied to the Vatican by a five-member delegation and later held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State.
Earlier in the day, the European Parliament President met with Italian authorities as part of ongoing dialogue between European national institutions and religious bodies on the founding values of the European Union. She was also scheduled to meet Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi.
In the afternoon, Metsola addressed the event titled “The Legacy of De Gasperi: Europe and the Defence of Freedom,” which took place at the European Parliament’s offices in Piazza Venezia, Rome.
Her agenda also included a meeting with the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, at the Magistral Palace in Rome. According to a statement, the courtesy visit provided an opportunity to discuss the Order of Malta’s humanitarian activities across more than 130 countries worldwide. Metsola reportedly expressed strong appreciation for the Order’s work in complex humanitarian contexts, including Ukraine and Gaza.
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