Pope Leo XIV Received President Jakov Milatović
The leader of Montenegro held high-level discussions at the Vatican regarding European integration and global conflicts.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Catholicism
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Pope Leo XIV held an audience with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović at the Vatican on Saturday morning. The meeting also included talks with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Why it matters
The engagement highlights the active role of the Holy See in regional diplomacy, specifically concerning the political future of Western Balkan nations within the European Union.
President Jakov Milatović held an audience with Pope Leo XIV and consulted with Cardinal Pietro Parolin. These discussions focused on the European integration of the Western Balkans and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.
The players
Pope Leo XIV
The Bishop of Rome and leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.
Jakov Milatović
The President of Montenegro.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
The Cardinal serving as the Vatican Secretary of State.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher
The Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
The details
The diplomatic visit included a meeting at the Secretariat of State with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, attended by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. Officials addressed the geopolitical situation in Ukraine and the path for Western Balkan countries to join the European Union.
Timeline
March 7, 2024: The late Pope Francis received President Milatović.
October 3, 2026: Pope Leo XIV received President Jakov Milatović.
Culture Shift
The diplomatic engagement underscores the Vatican's continued focus on the European Union's Western Balkan enlargement policy. This reflects a broader trend of the Holy See influencing global political integration efforts to promote regional stability.
The visit signals potential shifts in regional geopolitical stability for residents in the Western Balkans. Citizens may see increased international focus on the timeline for their country's potential entry into the European Union.
The takeaway
This high-level meeting reinforces the Vatican's role in facilitating dialogue on critical European political transitions. Observers can look to upcoming diplomatic summits for indications of progress on the integration timeline discussed during this audience.
Further reading
For more information on the church's diplomatic work, visit Catholicism.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vaticannews.
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