March 5 to 8, 2026
Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Fraser are undertaking a visit to the Italian Republic and the Holy See, from March 5 to 8, 2026.
March 5, 2026
In Vatican City, the Governor General met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, and the Most Reverend Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See.
This first audience with His Holiness demonstrated the importance Canada attaches to its relationship with the Holy See, and provided an opportunity for the Governor General and the Pope to discuss areas of mutual interest, particularly reconciliation, social and economic justice and inclusion, mental health and well-being, and environmental stewardship. The Governor General also thanked His Holiness for his leadership in returning Indigenous artefacts to Canada.
Photo credit: Vatican Media
Photo credit: Vatican Media
Photo credit: Vatican Media
In Rome, the Governor General met with His Excellency Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic. The two reviewed shared priorities in keeping with the strong and evolving bilateral partnership that exists between Canada and Italy.
