Catholic PM ramps up efforts to bring Pope Leo to Australia

In a private audience late on Monday, Anthony Albanese formally invited the new pontiff visit to Australia.

Anthony Albanese and Pope Leo XIV met on Monday. Picture: Vatican Media

Anthony Albanese and Pope Leo XIV discussed freedom of religion during a private audience overnight, as the Prime Minister ramped up efforts to bring Leo to Australia for the country’s first papal visit in two decades.

Mr Albanese handed the new pontiff a written invitation to visit and told him of Australia’s “warm appreciation” for the contribution of the Catholic Church in Australia, “especially in the education sphere,” according to a readout from the Vatican.

The first American Pope, who loves Tim Tams and hates Vegemite, visited Australia at least four times before his elevation to the papacy and was said to enjoy the 10-hour drive from Brisbane to Sydney.

Marking the first private audience between a pope and an Australian prime minister in 16 years, Mr Albanese met with Leo at the Apostolic Palace inside Vatican City on Monday afternoon (Sunday AEST).

Pope Benedict XVI with then-prime minister Kevin Rudd at World Youth Day in 2008.

Pope John Paul arrives at the Darwin showgrounds for mass in 1986.

There, Mr Albanese extended a formal invitation to the newly inaugurated pontiff to visit Australia in 2028 for the International Eucharistic Congress, a major Catholic event that draws tens of thousands of pilgrims.

Benedict XVI was the last pope to visit Australia for World Youth Day in 2008, with John Paul II making two visits, in 1986 and 1995.

Mr Albanese was greeted by the Swiss Guard and escorted by gentiluomini, gentlemen of the papal household, to meet with Pope Leo before presenting a painting by Indigenous artist Amanda Westley.

During their private audience, the pair were said to have discussed concerns about global conflict and the resulting humanitarian impacts.

Raukkan (Meeting Place) by Indigenous artist Amanda Westley that was gifted to Pope Leo XIV by Anthony Albanese on behalf of Australia. Picture: Supplied

Earlier in the day the Chicago-born Pope met US Vice President JD Vance and was handed an invitation from Donald Trump to visit the White House.

Before his election to the papacy, Cardinal Robert Prevost, had been critical of Mr Vance’s statements on immigrant deportation policies and his interpretation of church teachings.

Pope Leo XIV meets with US Vice-President JD Vance.

The Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Leo XIV met with the Vice President of the United States of America, James David Vance, on Monday morning. US Second Lady Usha Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were… pic.twitter.com/UCVSEplB5q

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 19, 2025

But Monday’s meeting was “cordial” with Mr Vance presenting the Pope with Chicago Bears a T-shirt adorned with his name, and receiving a bronze sculpture with the inscription “peace is a fragile flower” in return.

Mr Albanese had met Leo briefly at his inauguration mass Sunday and had a “very warm discussion” with the new pontiff.

“He expressed his affection for Australia and I told him that Australia’s five million Catholics would be watching and wishing him well in his pontificate,” the Prime Minister said.

“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, the fact that her son was at the inaugural mass of a pope in the Vatican, was really quite extraordinary.

“So, for me, it was a very personal moment as well, and it was a personal discussion.”

Speaking to The Australian in Rome at the weekend, Perth’s Archbishop Tim Costelloe said Australian church leaders were also eager to invite Leo to the Eucharistic Congress.

“These happen regularly around the world, and sometimes the Pope does go to those, sometimes not,” he said.

“I know Archbishop (Anthony) Fisher in Sydney is very keen to invite him, I think he has already invited him.”

Archbishop Costelloe, one of Australia’s most senior Catholics, believes the major challenge for the Pope would be to unite the world’s 1.4 billion believers.

“People often these days speak about a certain polarisation in the church, people who are more traditional, people who are more progressive,” he said.

“I’m not sure that those words really capture what goes on in the life of the church.

“But I think the new Pope has an opportunity to try and draw people together.

“And I think he will see that probably as one of the big challenges ahead for him, and as an opportunity for him.”