President arrived in the Italian capital on Sunday morning (Oct 12) to meet with the pontiff and participate in the World Food Forum
The president (PT) arrived in Rome this Sunday morning (Oct 12) to fulfill an official agenda that includes an audience with Pope Leo the 14th and participation in events of the (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
Accompanied by the First Lady, Janja da Silva, Lula went directly to the Brazilian Embassy, located in Navona Square, where he will stay.
This will be the first meeting between Lula and Pope Leo 14 since the religious man assumed the papacy in May this year. The meeting represents the 3rd time that the Brazilian president has been received by a pontiff at the Vatican since the beginning of his first term in 2003. Previously, he was with Benedict in 2008 and with Francis in 2023.
In the afternoon of Monday (Oct 13), the president will participate in the opening of the , an event that celebrates FAO’s 80th anniversary. The program also includes a meeting on the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, a Brazilian initiative launched during the G20 presidency in Rio de Janeiro in 2024. After the opening of the forum, Lula will close the 2nd Meeting of the Council of Champions of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.
Other trips in October
After Rome, Lula will make an official visit to Indonesia in October 24th. The trip marks the rapprochement between the 2 countries, after a bilateral meeting with the Indonesian leader, Prabowo Subianto (Gerindra Party, right), in July.
Already in the days October 26th and 27th, Lula will participate in the 47th Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit, which is taking place in Malaysia.
Lula confirmed the invitation of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. The latter, in turn, stated on September 25 that he had spoken with the President of the United States, Donald Trump (Republican Party), and hopes to count on the American’s participation in the meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
After talking on the phone with Trump, the PT member suggested Malaysia as a meeting point.
There will be a Brazilian business mission during the official visit to the 2 countries. The president of ApexBrasil (Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency), Jorge Viana, and other authorities will be part of the delegation.
Lula’s last trip brought him closer to Trump
On September 23, 2025, Lula participated in the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, being applauded by world leaders as he defended Brazilian sovereignty and democracy.
It was the 10th time that Lula opened the work of the General Assembly – 7 times in his first 2 terms and now in the 3 editions of his 3rd term.
In his speech, Lula sent a direct message to the USA. He referred to the North American sanctions, which included 50% taxation on Brazilian products, the application of the Magnitsky Law to STF (Supreme Federal Court) minister Alexandre de Moraes, and the withdrawal of visas from Brazilian authorities.
Despite the critical tone of the speeches, the trip resulted in an unexpected rapprochement. Trump watched Lula’s entire speech in a room behind the general assembly pulpit. When the Brazilian finished his speech and passed by the place, the 2 presidents met for the first time – resulting in the beginning of the current dialogue.
