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President Tharman meets Pope Leo XIV in Rome, discuss interfaith understanding & AI for jobs
During his visit, President Tharman also co-chaired a World Bank meeting and had bilateral engagements with leaders from Italy.
March 06, 2026, 04:14 PM
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam met Pope Leo XIV on his working visit to Rome, Italy, from Mar. 4 to 5, his first meeting with the pontiff.
According to a press statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), President Tharman had an audience with the Pope on Mar. 5, at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City.
"They discussed the importance of interfaith understanding, especially in a more turbulent global environment."
They also discussed artificial intelligence's (AI) impact on jobs, specifically the opportunities and challenges it poses, as well as public discourse, global stability and peace.
During his visit, President Tharman also co-chaired a World Bank meeting and had bilateral engagements with leaders from Italy and the Holy See.
City-states reaffirmed bilateral ties
President Tharman also met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
They reaffirmed the longstanding and friendly relations between Singapore and the Holy See, and discussed how the city-states could strengthen bilateral relations.
According to the Holy See's press release on Mar. 5, during the talks held at the Secretariat of State, the Vatican expressed appreciation for the "harmonious coexistence of the various cultures and religions present in the country, including the Catholic Church’s contribution to the common good".
The press release also noted an "exchange of views on the international and regional situation, and the importance of supporting and renewing the existing mechanisms of the multilateral system".
@tharman.sgHad an audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City — our first meeting. We discussed the importance of interfaith dialogue in a more turbulent global environment.♬ original sound - Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Met Italian President
On Mar. 4, President Tharman also met the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.
Both leaders welcomed the growing cooperation between Singapore and Italy in areas including the economy, culture, science, and defence.
They also exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Italy was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore's independence, doing so on Oct. 28, 1965.
Over 5,000 Italians live in Singapore, and over 300 Italian companies have offices here, stated the Embassy of Italy in Singapore.
Top photo from SIPA USA
