Rinkevics invites Pope Leo XIV to visit Latvia
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican to discuss bilateral relations and regional security. The leaders addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the return of displaced children, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Why it matters
High-level diplomatic engagement between the Vatican and European leaders often signals shifts in humanitarian advocacy and international conflict mediation.
RIGA - President Edgars Rinkevics met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and, during the meeting, invited the Pope to visit Latvia.
Rinkevics also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, the president's advisor Martins Dregeris informed LETA. During the meeting, Rinkevics and Parolin discussed bilateral relations, including cooperation between Latvia and the Catholic Church, as well as regional security and support for Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor state Russia.
Rinkevics expressed his appreciation for the Holy See's role in efforts to bring back Ukrainian prisoners of war and deported children. "Latvia strongly advocates for the return of all unlawfully displaced and deported children to Ukraine, as well as holding Russia accountable for the crimes it has committed," the president emphasized.
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