Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Pope Leo XIV, being granted a private audience with the Holy See at the Vatican.
Posting a photo to mark the occasion on X, Orbán made clear he was on a peace mission. “I asked His Holiness to support Hungary’s anti-war efforts.”
Zoltán Kovács, Secretary of State for International Communication, noted that the Middle East was also discussed and that Orbán also met with other high-level Vatican dignitaries. He also added a commentary on the meeting from the Vatican itself.
“According to the Holy See, discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere, emphasizing the strength of bilateral relations and the Catholic Church’s commitment to supporting Hungary’s social development and well-being — with special focus on families, youth education, and the protection of vulnerable Christian communities,” Kovács posted.
⛪ His Holiness @Pontifex Leo XIV received @PM_ViktorOrban for a private audience at the Vatican on Monday. Following the meeting, the prime minister held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with… pic.twitter.com/tgAQ86FLdN
— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) October 27, 2025János Nagy, secretary of state leading the Prime Minister’s Office, also posted a picture of the meeting between the Pope and Viktor Orbán, accompanied by only one word: Peace.
Before his visit, Orbán also posted to Facebook a lengthy message about his quest for peace.
“The world is slowly getting used to wars. Over the past two decades, military conflicts have been popping up all over the world, from the Caucasus to the Middle East to the devastating Russian-Ukrainian war that has been raging in our neighborhood for three years.
“We are bombarded with news and images of destruction and war fatalities. At first, we are shocked, then we just grieve, and finally, we slowly get used to it.
“But as the world gets used to wars, they become more and more dangerous. They are like a bushfire on a scorching summer day. If we do nothing about it, sooner or later, the flames will reach our country, our homes, and the future of our children.
“If we want to preserve the peace of Hungary, we cannot swim with the mainstream of Brussels.
“We want to stay out of the war fever spreading around the world, which is why we have been organizing an anti-war coalition since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Today I will report on Hungary’s efforts to the Holy Father, and then to the Prime Minister of Italy.”
Orbán will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday.
