Pope Leo XIV Meets EU Council President António Costa Discussing Peace for Ukraine and Gaza and Concerns - VIDEO
Pope Leo XIV received the President of the European Council, António Costa, in audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on Thursday, 6 June.
The main themes of the meeting at the Secretariat of State were the proposal to establish a global fund to eliminate world hunger and promote the development of the poorest countries, as well as the international situation, including the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
From Ukraine to Gaza, the world cries out for peace.
— António Costa (@eucopresident) June 6, 2025
Today, I had the honor of offering His Holiness Pope Leo @Pontifex an olive tree, a symbol of peace and reconciliation. In time, many branches will grow from this tree, each one of them standing for the peace our world so… pic.twitter.com/7nnFFMPxmv
Afterwards, Costa met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, who was accompanied by Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States.
During the cordial talks at the Secretariat of State, the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the European Union were acknowledged, along with the intention to further intensify dialogue on issues of common interest, especially regarding the proposal to establish a global fund to eliminate world hunger and promote the development of the poorest countries. The conversation also addressed the current international context, with particular reference to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
In several posts on X, President Costa wrote:
Leo XIV is the Pope of peace—of real peace.
Honoured to meet
@Pontifex as he begins his pontificate. Today we had a very inspiring discussion on how to best achieve peace, namely in Ukraine, Gaza and other parts of the world. We must continue to address global issues like climate change, the reduction of inequalities and the dignity of work.
I look forward to the EU and the Holy See working together for the common good.
From Ukraine to Gaza, the world cries out for peace. Today, I had the honor of offering His Holiness Pope Leo
@Pontifex an olive tree, a symbol of peace and reconciliation. In time, many branches will grow from this tree, each one of them standing for the peace our world so deeply longs for. May it remind us that even in scarred soil, hope can take root, and peace can grow.
The EU strongly supports the International Criminal Court, a cornerstone of international justice. The
@IntlCrimCourt does not stand against nations—it stands against impunity. We must protect its independence and integrity. The rule of law must prevail over the rule of power.
Sources: Vatican News and Official Account of Antoino Costa@Pontifex as he begins his pontificate. Today we had a very inspiring discussion on how to best achieve peace, namely in Ukraine, Gaza and other parts of the world. We must continue to address global issues like climate change, the reduction of inequalities and the dignity of work.
I look forward to the EU and the Holy See working together for the common good.
From Ukraine to Gaza, the world cries out for peace. Today, I had the honor of offering His Holiness Pope Leo
@Pontifex an olive tree, a symbol of peace and reconciliation. In time, many branches will grow from this tree, each one of them standing for the peace our world so deeply longs for. May it remind us that even in scarred soil, hope can take root, and peace can grow.
The EU strongly supports the International Criminal Court, a cornerstone of international justice. The
@IntlCrimCourt does not stand against nations—it stands against impunity. We must protect its independence and integrity. The rule of law must prevail over the rule of power.
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