Hungary and Italy leaders, Pope Leo set to discuss Ukraine conflict in Rome

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set to visit Rome on October 27, where he will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, followed by an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

According to Magyar Nemzet newspaper, the central focus of Orban’s meeting with the Pope will be the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both Hungary and the Vatican have consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

The discussions are expected to address the war in Ukraine, the peace process, and broader Christian values, continuing the tradition of papal audiences with Orban. This will be the first personal meeting between Orban and Pope Leo XIV since his election.

Orban has previously met with Pope Francis, who visited Hungary on an apostolic visit in 2023.

Hungarian media note that Orban maintains a particularly friendly relationship with Meloni compared to many other European Union leaders, including EU officials.

On several key issues, the Italian and Hungarian leaders hold positions that diverge from those of Brussels.

The upcoming meetings in Rome are also expected to touch on the Ukraine issue. During the EU summit in Brussels on October 23, Orban proposed that European leaders refrain from making new decisions regarding Ukraine until a fresh meeting occurs between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

By Tamilla Hasanova