The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, Leo XIV in the Vatican, in a meeting that takes place ten days before the Pontiff visits Spain, from June 6 to 12. Sánchez arrived at the Apostolic Palace shortly before nine in the morning and will hold a private audience with Robert Prevost, expected to last half an hour. Afterwards he will meet with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin, number two of the Vatican, and Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States. Subsequently, he called a press conference at 11 in the morning at the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, in Piazza di Spagna.
The head of the Executive was received at the entrance of the palace by the Bosnian archbishop Peter Rajic, new prefect of the Papal Household, and by the gentlemen of the Holy See, a protocol body that accompanies guests to the Vatican. The delegation went up to the third loggia to the Tronetto room, where the Pope received Sánchez. Next, they went to the Library, where the interview between them takes place.
At a time of serious difficulty for the Executive in Spain, Sánchez seeks with this visit to demonstrate the harmony with Leo XIV in international politics and social doctrine. Precisely, it does so, dedicated to the risks of new technologies and of enormous political charge against the extreme right ideology of Donald Trump in the United States.
In any case, the Vatican barely comments on these meetings, except with a brief general note, and Sánchez will make his assessment later in his meeting with the media. However, it is likely that everything will be overshadowed in the press conference, since in it Pedro Sánchez will answer questions from journalists about for the first time. So far, the socialist leader has only spoken once, a week ago, and it was in the control session of the Congress Government. On that occasion he showed all his support for the former president. However, the case had just come to light and new revelations have since emerged.
At 11 in the morning the Vatican released a note about the Pope’s meeting with Sánchez. Regarding the interview with Parolin, he points out that “satisfaction was expressed for the imminent Apostolic Journey of the Holy Father, a sign of the good relations that exist between the Holy See and Spain.” “Reference was then made to some issues of common interest, such as the need to foster a fruitful dialogue between the local Church and government authorities, as well as between the various components of civil society, based on mutual respect and aimed at promoting the common good,” the statement continues.
In addition, other international issues were discussed, such as “the repercussions of conflicts in the world, migration, the importance of multilateralism and respect for international law, as well as the urgency of a constant commitment to peace.”
On May 4, the Pope already received the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, who emphasized: “There is a great coincidence in the Vatican’s positions regarding Spain’s humanist foreign policy at this time.” Furthermore, he assured that Monsignor Gallagher asked him about what he had done for the Spanish Executive and “he said that he saw it as a positive gesture.”
