Taoiseach holds talks with Italian PM and Pope in Rome

The Taoiseach held high-level talks in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Leo XIV, focusing on key European and global issues. During their meeting, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Meloni discussed strategies to reduce energy costs across Europe, a priority ahead of Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the EU Council. They emphasized enhancing competitiveness and advancing the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap, which aims to boost Europe’s economic performance through simplified regulations, deepening the Single Market, and promoting AI transformation. The discussions with Prime Minister Meloni also covered the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, with both leaders reaffirming their countries’ strong support for Ukraine and Italy’s significant humanitarian aid contributions to Gaza. The Taoiseach highlighted the importance of competitiveness for Europe’s prosperity, especially amid current economic challenges, and expressed commitment to negotiating the EU budget effectively during Ireland’s presidency. The meeting underscored the collaborative approach between Ireland and Italy in addressing pressing European economic and geopolitical concerns. In a separate meeting at the Vatican, the Taoiseach spoke with Pope Leo XIV about the global desire for peace amid ongoing conflicts. The Pope expressed a genuine wish to end wars in the Middle East, Sudan, and Ukraine. Although specific issues like the Gaza Flotilla were not discussed, broader topics including the Gaza conflict, West Bank tensions, and Iran were addressed. The Taoiseach noted the Pope’s interest in the political will necessary for peace, drawing parallels to the peace process in Northern Ireland, and highlighted the Pope’s anxiety about the current trajectory of global conflicts. This meeting reinforced the Vatican’s role as a moral voice advocating for conflict resolution and peace.