The Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, embarked on a brief visit to Italy and the Vatican City on Sunday evening.
The visit commenced Monday morning with a private audience at the Vatican, lasting approximately one hour, with Pope Leo XIV. Following the initial meeting, the Pope’s wife, Elke Büdenbender, will join the discussion. According to the Federal Presidential Office, Steinmeier intends to engage in dialogue with Pope Leo XIV, discussing the current state of the church in Germany and broader global challenges. This marks the first encounter between the German head of state and Pope Leo XIV, who assumed the papacy in May.
The afternoon’s agenda includes a visit to the Sant’Egidio Community, a globally active social organization and a series of meetings with representatives from various United Nations agencies. These discussions will focus on the work of the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
President Steinmeier is scheduled to return to Berlin early Monday evening, concluding his short international trip.