After Pope John Paul II died in 2005, the supreme authority of the Holy See was then given over to Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict was born in Germany. Meanwhile, Pope John Paul II came from Poland. The bereavement of Pope John Paul II was a meaningful symbol for Poland, because Pope John Paul II was deeply connected with the Polish Catholic history. His lesson positioned him as a role model for Polish and all Catholic believers.
It was the same feeling when Italy lost its Italian-born Pope, even though Italians respected and hoped for good things from the newly elected non-Italian-born Pope. The selection of a new Pope, whether Italian or non-Italian, is a significant religious process in the Catholic Church. The conclave, a gathering of all cardinals, is responsible for this decision. The conclave is a highly secretive and solemn event, where the cardinals, guided by the Holy Spirit, elect a new Pope. Their choice is believed to represent a trusted Catholic Church leader, while most people deemed him a complete and integrated leader for the whole Catholic church.
In a similar situation, Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who succeeded the late Pope Francis, had similar obligations with another non-Italian-born pope. He must be able to assume diplomatic responsibility for integrating Catholic Italian expectations, given that he was not born an Italian. As the new Supreme Pontiff of the Vatican, born in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States of America, he must position his mission as a global Catholic leader without being limited by his original ethics and national background.
The most delicate task he now faces is preserving Vatican-Italy relations. His experience and skill, particularly his familiarity with the land of Rome, where he studied Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas and was ordained as a Catholic priest, will be crucial in his interactions with the local people. Pope Leo XIV’s role in this delicate task is vital, as he is responsible for maintaining the strong relations between the Vatican and Italy, providing a sense of reassurance to the Catholics.
Let’s delve into the pivotal moment when Pope Pius XI and King Victor Emanuel III signed the Lateran Treaty on February 11, 1929. This treaty, a monumental milestone in the history of Vatican-Italy relations, marked Italy’s official recognition of the Holy See’s sovereignty. The process of the concordat was a significant step, as Italy ceded its authority over the Holy See’s territory.
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The city-state of Rome, including the Vatican as the forerunner of the modern city-state of Rome, stands as a testament to its long spiritual and human history, including the enduring journey of the Catholic Church’s dogma. This historical journey, deeply rooted in tradition and history, has fortified Italy-Vatican relations, despite the two countries’ long history of tension. The agreement between Italy and the Vatican, notably the Lateran Treaty, has profoundly impacted Italy’s treatment of the Vatican, which is now viewed as a small country endowed with a unique blessing.
Article 1 of the Lateran Treaty declared the Catholic Apostolic Roman as the state religion in Italy, a status it has held since the 1st century AD. The treaty underscored the country’s religion, following its past constitution in 1848, which recognized the Catholic Apostolic Roman Church as the state religion. However, the Vatican, as the Catholic learning and seminary center, is deeply concerned about the decline in the number of Catholic believers in Italy.
This decline, which has been a trend over the past few decades, is not just a statistic, but a call to action for the Vatican and the Catholic Church. The Vatican, along with the Pope and other Catholic church bishops, is striving to maintain the Vatican’s involvement in matters of concern to the Italian government, particularly since the right-wing party took control of the Italian government.
Italy-Vatican Relations in Modern Era
Despite Italy’s changing demographics and religious beliefs, the Vatican remains confident that the country’s cultural and religious structures continue to serve as a significant connecting bond between the Vatican and Italy. The Vatican’s profound influence on the spiritual life in Italy is a testament to the deeply rooted and mutually supportive relations Italians have with the Holy See. This influence is not just religious, but also deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Italy, shaping its art, architecture, and social customs.
The Vatican’s influence can be seen in the grandeur of Italian cathedrals, the beauty of its religious art, and the celebration of religious festivals. These bound relations and the historical long journey encourage Giorgia Meloni, a modern public figure, to strengthen Italy-Vatican ties and discuss the future of Italy and the Vatican closely. During Pope Francis’s administration, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has officially visited the Vatican to strengthen the cooperation between the Vatican and Italy in addressing global and national social issues.
Now, Giorgio Meloni has undertaken the same approach by visiting Pope Leo XIV after the Pope was chosen to replace Pope Francis, demonstrating her commitment to preserving the historical ties between Italy and the Vatican.
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As elected Prime Minister in 2022, Giorgia Meloni has undertaken several diplomatic missions, including a visit to Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican on July 2, 2025. Her visit represents the Italian government’s interest in maintaining its well-established relations with the Vatican. But another interpretation is that her visit also symbolizes Giorgio Meloni’s adjacency with Pope Leo. Her visit to the Vatican last July brought to mind her visit to Pope Francis in January 2023. She also made special time to meet Pope Francis during the G-7 Summit on June 14, 2024, in Borgo Egnazia (Fasano) in Apulia.
Another time, when Pope Francis was hospitalized, she also gave her attention to him. Her close relationship with the Vatican indicates the Italian government’s diplomatic efforts to maintain the Vatican’s status as a special religious advisor. In this role, the Vatican provides guidance and counsel on matters of faith and morality, influencing the Italian government’s policies and decisions. Giorgia Meloni’s efforts to keep a close relationship with the Vatican, despite her party’s right-wing stance, demonstrate her commitment to preserving the historical ties between Italy and the Vatican. It also raises questions about the Vatican’s stance on Italy’s right-wing party and its alignment with global perceptions of political shifts.
During her diplomatic mission, which included visits to the Vatican and private discussions at international events, she dedicated quality time to strengthening Italy-Vatican relations. Giorgia Meloni’s background, which is rooted in the Fratelli d’Italia, a party widely recognized as populist and right-wing radical, doesn’t influence the Italian government’s stance on the Vatican authority. Giorgio Melloni wants to fertilize the Vatican’s connection made by previous predecessor.
She was an obedient Catholic, a trait that, combined with her challenging life experiences, made her a dauntless figure. Her value and stance then influenced how her action changed the Italian political landscape. From the party she established, she and all the hard-right-wing party seem to succeed in reaching Catholic adherents to support the hard-right-wing party’s ideology.
Even though the hard-right party occupied the strategic government position, the Vatican’s position still affects how Italian Catholics perceive the world. Recently, Catholic Italian politics has seen a decline in influence, as the Catholic Church focuses primarily on upholding Catholic teachings rather than exerting its influence on political matters. However, Catholics remain concerned about social issues, including the impact of political turbulence on social life. Accordingly, the Holly See’s dogma is still inherent in the majority of Italian citizens.
Those brief portrayals of the historical Vatican-Italy treaty, including the Italian political landscape’s uncertainty, offer valuable insight into how Pope Leo XIV should articulate and address Italy’s expectations regarding the non-Italian-born Pope, including how he led the Catholics thoroughly.
*The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of TDI.
Rostamaji Korniawan
Rostamaji Korniawan, a senior analyst, is a compelling writer in the field of global studies, with a specific focus on Asian and European relations. His academic journey, which began at Pukyong National University, South Korea, where he majored in international and area studies, has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to author works such as ‘Global Perspective of South Korea Based on Cultural Approach’ and ‘Irish Gastro Diplomacy: The Discussion of Irish F&B Sundries’. He can be reached at rostamaji_k@yahoo.com