Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s presence in Vatican City for the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV has been hailed as strengthening the relationship between Australia and the Holy See. Source: The West Australian.
Speaking in Rome ahead of yesterday’s inauguration Mass, Australian Catholic Bishops Conferenece President Archbishop Costelloe described Mr Albanese’s attendance alongside other major world leaders as a “wonderful thing”.
He noted diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Australia had improved under former prime minister Kevin Rudd.
“Since then, we’ve had our own ambassador to the Vatican,” Mr Costelloe said.
“So the relationship between Australia and the Holy See is already really well established and I think the presence of the Prime Minister here adds to that and cements Australia in the minds of the Holy See.”
Mr Albanese flew to Rome on Friday from Jakarta, after holding formal meetings with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in his first overseas trip after his election victory.
He said it was a “great honour to represent Australia” at the Mass, calling it a “historic occasion for the Catholic Church.”
“The event will connect Catholics around the world, and the millions of Australians of Catholic faith, as they celebrate and welcome the new Bishop of Rome and pontiff to amplify his message of peace and social justice for all humanity,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.
“I look forward to reinforcing Australia’s strong relationship with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.”
Archbishop Costelloe said people of all religious backgrounds were excited by the crowning of the new spiritual leader.
“We do have a man now who can speak not from a political perspective, but from a deeper perspective of … into these very troubled times,” he added.
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Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe says PM’s presence in Rome strengthens relations with Holy See (By Danielle Le Messurier, The West Australian)
