Iceland’s president has met Pope Leo XIV during an official visit to the Vatican, where discussions focused on international relations and peace efforts.
According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, Halla Tómasdóttir was received in audience by Pope Leo XIV on 4 May 2026.
The president later held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by British prelate to the Catholic Church, Paul Richard Gallagher.
“You could say that the common thread in both meetings was the situation in the world, how conflicts are growing and how people in leadership can try to meet these times with more dialogue, more humanity and a greater emphasis on peace,” she said, as reported by Vísir.
Although initially scheduled for 15 minutes, the meeting with the Pope lasted around an hour. Discussions included the impact of artificial intelligence and the need to support younger generations.
“So you could say we’ve had a lot to talk about. I also found it very interesting that the Pope put a lot of emphasis, as I have been doing, on young people and just how we can help them gain confidence in the future and in those of us in leadership positions and how they can be more actively involved in shaping a better path forward than what we currently face.”
The president also highlighted Iceland’s focus on human rights in international engagement.
“Whenever I meet with parties abroad, I advocate for our Icelandic priorities, and of course we are usually proud to say that we are a very egalitarian nation and have been at the forefront of those issues.”
“We place a great deal of emphasis on human rights, and of course we now have a seat on the [United Nations] Human Rights Council. So these are priorities that I always advocate for, including the rights of gay people and others. Just that everyone gets the opportunity to enjoy respect and freedom.”