UN secretary-general meets Pope Leo, top Vatican officials June 11, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV met with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres during a private audience at the Vatican June 11. The meeting with the U.N. chief took place in the pope’s study in the Paul VI Audience Hall before the pope’s morning general audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican press office said in a communique. In brief video clips provided by Vatican Media, Guterres greeted the pope in English, saying “Holy Father, congratulations.” After Pope Leo said, “Thank you very much. Thank you,” Guterres said, “My best, best wishes for your pontificate.” Guterres later met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, the Vatican said. “During the cordial talks with the Secretariat of State, the Holy See expressed support for the United Nations’ commitment to world peace,” it said. They also discussed “various ongoing processes and forthcoming summits organized by the United Nations” as well as “the difficulties the organization faces in addressing various crises currently unfolding around the world,” it said. “The conversation also touched on specific situations of conflict and instability,” it added. The 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly was scheduled for Sept. 9-23 in New York. Guterres last met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in December 2019 for a 40-minute closed-door meeting and to record an eight-minute joint video message released a few hours later calling for peace and ending injustices worldwide. Read More Vatican News Find room in your heart for everyone, pope tells new bishops Belarusian Catholic dissident returns home, urges prayers for imprisoned following papal audience Peruvian city to unveil world’s tallest statue of Pope Leo for trip to South America Pope Leo XIV asks Our Lady of Good Counsel for aid to make ‘courageous and wise decisions’ Pope Leo expresses hope Ukraine, Russia negotiations bear fruit Pope Leo XIV says Christians in the Middle East offer a ‘precious testimony for the entire Church’ Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
