Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed he will attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Sunday. Source: Sky News Australia.
Mr Albanese, who is Catholic, said yesterday it will be an “incredible honour” to be in Vatican City alongside other world leaders for the historic event.
The inauguration Mass will take place in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 18, at 10am local time (6pm AEST).
Mr Albanese also reflected on what his mother, who passed away in 2002, would have thought of his attendance.
“It was Mother’s Day [on Sunday] and can I say this – my mum would be pretty chuffed at the idea that her son will be going as Prime Minister to see the inauguration of a Pope in the Vatican City,” he said.
Mr Albanese will leave Australia for Jakarta tomorrow for a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his first international trip since his re-election on May 3.
He said arrangements were still being finalised for his journey from Jakarta to Rome so he can attend the inauguration.
“We’re sorting out logistics at the moment to travel from Jakarta to Rome and to the Vatican City to be able to attend and represent Australia at that event which will be so important for Catholics around the world and those of faith here in Australia as well,” he said.
Mr Albanese said he expected to also hold face-to-face talks with several world leaders while in Vatican City, including Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney, who he has yet to meet in person.
On Friday, Mr Albanese said he would invite Pope Leo to Australia in three years’ time for the International Eucharist Congress in Sydney, News.com.au reported.
“I will invite His Holiness Pope Leo to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress which is being proudly hosted in 2028,” Mr Albanese told reporters at Parliament House.
“And I’ve had discussions with Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, who of course I know very well, about the importance of Australia hosting that very significant event in just a few years’ time.”
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and Vice President Bishop Greg Bennet will represent the Church in Australia at Pope Leo’s inauguration.
FULL STORY
Anthony Albanese confirms he will attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City following his visit to Indonesia (By Bryant Hevesi, Sky News Australia)
PM congratulates incoming Pope Leo XIV, invites him to Australia (By Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer, News.com.au)
Anthony Albanese invites Pope Leo XIV to Australia (Facebook/Anthony Albanese MP)
