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Albanese shares poignant moment with the Pope
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid a heartfelt tribute to his late mother during a meeting with newly inaugurated Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, describing the encounter as a deeply personal moment.
Following the pope's inauguration mass at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Sunday, Albanese was among a select group of world leaders ushered inside the basilica to greet the Catholic leader.
“I spoke to him about my mother who would be, I’m sure, looking down from heaven with the biggest smile she’s ever had,” Albanese told reporters after the event.
Raised in a housing commission flat in Sydney by his single mother, Albanese has frequently spoken about her influence on his life and values. His meeting with Pope Leo XIV appeared to be a particularly poignant occasion for the prime minister, given his Catholic upbringing.
The Vatican gathering also provided an opportunity for Albanese to engage with fellow global leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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According to reports, von der Leyen used the meeting to raise the possibility of enhancing security ties between the European Union and Australia, proposing arrangements similar to existing partnerships with Japan and South Korea.
Albanese was said to be cautious but receptive to the idea, indicating a willingness to explore closer cooperation through potential joint military exercises and other strategic initiatives.
The talks come amid ongoing negotiations between Australia and the EU over a long-anticipated free trade agreement, which remains unresolved. Strengthening security ties may serve to bolster broader diplomatic and economic relations between the two parties.
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