Pope Leo greets Giorgia Meloni at Vatican as Spain trip revealed

Pope Leo XIV met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a Vatican audience for Jubilee volunteers, and officials reported plans for the Pope to visit Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.

Pope Leo XIV met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a special audience in the Vatican today during an event recognising volunteers from last year’s Papal Jubilee. The Pope presented a Jubilee Crucifix, offered blessings and thanked government and security services for their role in the Jubilee. Photographs showed the two speaking and smiling as the audience proceeded. The encounter coincided with reports about the Pope’s planned international travel for this year. Reported details: - The meeting took place in the Paul VI Audience Hall and included volunteers, partners and media coverage, with the interaction between Pope Leo and Giorgia Meloni described as friendly. - Pope Leo presented volunteers with a Jubilee Crucifix, blessed several babies and offered a New Year’s blessing during the audience. - Spanish officials reported that plans are being prepared for the Pope to visit Spain, with proposed stops in Madrid, Barcelona (including the Sagrada Familia) and the Canary Islands. - Cardinal José Cobo Cano said the itinerary is under discussion after talks with a Vatican official, and that timing remains undecided though June had been rumoured. - The Canary Islands stop was reported as linked to migration concerns; Pope Leo has reiterated that migrants have inalienable rights and warned against measures that undermine their dignity. - Spanish authorities also reported that the Spanish Catholic hierarchy agreed to let the state ombudsman have final say on compensation for clergy abuse victims, a deal Justice Minister Félix Bolaños said had Vatican support. Summary: The audience highlighted the Pope’s public thanks to Jubilee volunteers and a cordial meeting with Italy’s prime minister. Reported plans for a visit to Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands, are under discussion. Undetermined at this time.