Albanese meets with world leaders on the sidelines of the Pope's inaugural mass

World leaders attending Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass have made the most of the Vatican gathering, meeting for talks in Rome.

A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) attend their meeting in Rome, Italy, 18 May 2025. EPA/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / HANDOUT HANDOUT 86143HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES Credit: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / HANDOUT HANDOUT/EPA

KEY POINTS

• Anthony Albanese has met face-to-face with Ukraine's President, Volodomyr Zelenskyy for the first time since 2023, confirming Australia's continuing military support.
• Mr Albanese also met with European Union President, Ursula Von Der Leyen, who raised the prospect of a formal defence pact between the EU and Australia.
• The Prime Minister also had a brief conversation with the man of the moment, Pope Leo, in St Peter's Basilica after the mass. Mr Albanese, who was raised Catholic, says his meeting with the new pontiff was a very positive one.

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Albanese meets with world leaders on the sidelines of the Pope's inaugural mass

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