The German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, concluded a brief visit to Rome and the Vatican on Monday, marked by a nearly hour-long private audience with Pope Leo XIV. The meeting, the first between the two leaders since Pope Leo XIV’s May appointment, focused on shared concerns regarding declining membership within the Catholic Church.
President Steinmeier stated following the encounter that the decline is attributable to multiple factors, including the ramifications of historical sexual abuse cases, broader secularization trends and the increasing religious diversity within European society. He emphasized the continued importance of the Church’s role in fostering social cohesion and expressed his belief that religious institutions have a vital contribution to make to the wellbeing of communities. He conveyed this perspective to Pope Leo XIV, affirming the significance of Rome’s voice on these matters.
The German President’s visit, lasting less than 24 hours, also included a visit to the Sant’Egidio Community, a globally active social organization and meetings with representatives from various United Nations agencies. These engagements encompassed the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), highlighting a broader focus on humanitarian and development issues during the trip.