Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived in the Vatican for talks with Pope Leo XIV.
Mr Martin, accompanied by his wife Mary, was greeted by the Prefect of the Papal Household Monsignor Petar Rajič.
His Holiness and the Taoiseach are expected to hold a private meeting in the Papal Library in the Apostolic Palace for around 30 to 40 minutes.
Mr Martin will then meet the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin for an hour-long meeting.
Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD arriving at the Apostolic Palace for his meeting with @Pontifex Pope Leo XIV. He was greeted by Monsignor Petar Rajič, Prefect of the Papal Household. Mr Martin was accompanied by his wife Mary. pic.twitter.com/XVBNQrfFeB
— Tony Connelly (@tconnellyRTE) May 22, 2026
They are expected to discuss the crisis in the Middle East, including attacks against Christians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Pope Leo was inaugurated just over a year ago, the first US pontiff, and a spiritual leader seen as combining the social justice instincts of his predecessor Pope Francis, with some of the more conservative priorities of the late Pope Benedict XVI.
In recent months, he has become distinctly outspoken about what he has condemned as the current zeal for war.
Although he has not mentioned US President Donald Trump by name, Mr Trump has angrily hit out at the Pope for apparently criticising US foreign policy.
Following the Vatican meetings, the Taoiseach will visit the Pontifical Irish College in Rome to meet members of the college community and view its archives.
The Taoiseach will also meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Mr Martin is expected to outline Ireland's priorities in the upcoming Presidency of the EU, which gets under way on 1 July.
