Seguro arrives in Rome to meet Pope Leo XIV and renew invitation to visit Portugal in 2027
President António José Seguro landed in Rome this afternoon for a two-day official visit to the Vatican, where he will be received by Pope Leo XIV on Thursday morning. The meeting marks his first audience with the pontiff since taking office as Portugal's head of state.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Church of Santo António dos Portugueses in Rome, Seguro said he would convey "the friendship of the Portuguese people" and renew the invitation for a papal visit to Portugal in 2027 — a year that marks the 500th anniversary of the Apostolic Nunciature in the country.
Topics on the agenda: war, artificial intelligence and human dignity
The President said he expects to discuss the wars currently devastating populations, from the conflict in Ukraine to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have driven up oil prices and contributed to the cost of living crisis felt by Portuguese families.
"I hope to speak, and above all to listen, because it is important for us to hear the Pope's voice on what people's concerns are: ending wars, ending people's suffering," Seguro told reporters. He added that those affected include not only people directly hit by bullets and weapons, but also those who suffer from the consequences of rising oil prices on their daily lives.
The Thursday audience will also address artificial intelligence — the subject of Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, published in May 2026. The document establishes ethical guidelines for AI development, warning that technology must serve the common good and cannot replace human moral responsibility.
The President said he wants to discuss "how we can build more human societies at a time when it is necessary to give space back to hope." He also plans to speak about "human dignity and the need to build new bridges and new dialogues in an era of uncertainty."
Speaking about "so many people who seem to have forgotten the importance of diplomacy and dialogue," Seguro clarified: "When I speak of so many people, I'm obviously speaking of world leaders."
2027 anniversaries frame the invitation
The head of state did not want to anticipate what response Pope Leo XIV might give to the invitation on Thursday. But he framed the importance of a potential visit by pointing to the landmark anniversaries in 2027.
"There are a set of anniversaries," Seguro said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's the 500 years of the nunciature in Portugal, the nunciature in Lisbon, so it's an important moment to mark."
The Portuguese Episcopal Conference has already extended a separate invitation, tied to the 110th anniversary of the Fátima apparitions. The Shrine of Fátima has expressed readiness to welcome the pontiff, and diplomatic sources indicate that the Vatican is finalising details for a possible visit in July 2027, potentially including Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Seguro said it falls to him, as President, to extend a formal invitation for a state visit. "This will reinforce these relations of friendship and will also be a moment and a stage, in a country open to the world, for the Pope's word to be heard by those who need to hear it, and for weapons to fall silent."
A visit to a historic Portuguese landmark
Accompanying the President on the visit to the Church of Santo António dos Portugueses were the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Inês Domingos, Portugal's Ambassador to the Holy See, Maria Amélia Paiva, and the head of his civil household, Cláudia Ribeiro. His wife, Margarida Maldonado Freitas, is also part of the official delegation.
The visit to the historic site — which has welcomed Portuguese pilgrims in Rome for centuries — was guided by Monsignor Agostinho Borges, rector of the Portuguese Institute of Santo António. Seguro expressed gratitude to all those who have developed the space, which also serves to promote Portuguese culture and language.
The President declined to discuss domestic political matters during the trip. "I will not deviate from the reason why I am here, launching this two-day visit to the Vatican," he said.
The formal audience with Pope Leo XIV takes place Thursday morning.
