During the visit, the President of Latvia, accompanied by Foreign Minister Baiba Broka, also met with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. In a conversation with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, the President discussed Latvia's cooperation with the Catholic Church, as well as issues of regional security and support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression, bb.lv reported from the President's Office. President Rinkēvičs expressed satisfaction with the role of the Holy See in joint efforts to return Ukrainian prisoners of war and deported children. The parties exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and the conflict with Iran. The President of Latvia informed the Pope that he categorically opposes Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. Rinkēvičs wants the resumption of tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the suffering of the civilian population. This was the first meeting of the President of Latvia with Pope Leo XIV after the pontiff was elected on May 8, 2025, as the 267th Bishop of Rome. Previously, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa had flown to the Vatican for a meeting with the Pope. Shortly after that, she was dismissed. Pope Leo XIV, born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, USA. He became the first Pope with a US passport.
