By NICOLE WINFIELD
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV thanked Italy on Tuesday for its efforts to combat human trafficking but urged the country to remain open to welcoming and integrating migrants as he took part in a pomp-filled meeting with the Italian president.
Related Articles
Trump to welcome Argentina’s President Milei as US extends $20 billion lifeline Israel plans to halve aid into Gaza over slow return of dead hostages, a test for the Gaza ceasefire Madagascar’s president flees after soldiers turned against him, opposition lawmaker says Venezuela says US navy raided a tuna boat in the Caribbean as tensions rise ‘It’s hard to see so many kids die.’ How volunteering in Gaza transformed American doctors and nursesLeo completed the rite of passage for every new pope by travelling across Rome to the Qurinale Palace for a meeting with President Sergio Mattarella. Escorted by the presidential horse honor guard into the palace courtyard, Leo thanked Italy especially for its welcome of pilgrims during the 2025 Holy Year, which has seen millions of extra tourists pouring into the Eternal City.
Wearing his formal red cape and brocaded stole, Leo thanked Italy for its “generous assistance” to migrants and its efforts to combat human trafficking.
“I encourage you to keep alive your attitude of openness and solidarity,” he said. “At the same time, I wish to emphasize the importance of constructive integration of newcomers into the values and traditions of Italian society, so that the mutual gift realized in this encounter of peoples may truly enrich and benefit all.”
It was a reference to Italy’s role at ground zero in Europe’s migration debate, given its proximity to North Africa — making it the preferred destination for smuggling operations setting off from Libya and Tunisia.
The right-wing government of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has made cracking down on illegal migration a priority, including by sending migrants back home or to detention facilities in Albania and prosecuting alleged smugglers. Meloni and her hard-line minister Matteo Salvini were in the front row of the audience, held in a gilded reception room of the palace with extra-tall palace guards standing at attention.
Italy’s hard-line stance on migration has often conflicted with Pope Francis’ call for wealthier countries to welcome, defend and integrate newcomers, a position Leo repeated as recently as last week in his first main teaching document.
Mounted cuirassiers escort Pope Leo XIV as he arrives in a car at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse via AP) Italian President Sergio Mattarella, right, welcomes Pope Leo XIV as he arrives at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via AP) Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, right, as he arrives at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Italian President Sergio Mattarella, second from right, welcomes Pope Leo XIV as he arrives at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Show Caption1 of 4Mounted cuirassiers escort Pope Leo XIV as he arrives in a car at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse via AP) ExpandTuesday’s encounter was evidence of the close ties between Italy and the Vatican, a 110-acre city state in the heart of Rome. The location itself underscored the unique and intertwined relationship: The Quirinale Palace was for centuries the summer residence of popes until 1870, when Rome was captured from the papal states and annexed into the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.
After decades in which popes were essentially prisoners of the Vatican, Italy and Holy See normalized relations in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, which is still in effect.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Hence then, the article about pope urges italy to remain open to migrants during rite of passage visit to presidential palace was published today ( ) and is available on GreeleyTribune ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Pope urges Italy to remain open to migrants during rite of passage visit to presidential palace )
Also on site :