Plenković meets Vatican Secretary of State ahead of audience with Pope

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković is on an official visit to the Vatican, where he met Thursday with the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Plenković said the two reaffirmed the excellent relations between Croatia and the Holy See and discussed key issues concerning the Catholic Church in Croatia, including the restoration of churches — particularly the Zagreb Cathedral — following the 2019 and 2020 earthquakes.

He said they also emphasized the need to end the war in Ukraine and achieve a “just, sustainable peace,” as well as the importance of offering a clear European perspective to Southeast European countries.

Plenković, accompanied by his family and several Croatian officials, is scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV on Friday.

The prime minister said he plans to discuss current international challenges and the Pope’s vision for Europe and the world.

“At a time when international law is less respected than before, it is important that a high moral authority like the Pope articulates fundamental values before the international community,” Plenković said.

He added that he would invite the Pope to visit Croatia.

“This is an opportunity for us — after the Bishops Conference and the President have already done so — to extend an invitation to Pope Leo to visit Croatia when his schedule allows,” he said.

Plenković is joined on the trip by three ministers: Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Demography and Immigration Minister Ivan Šipić, and Veterans’ Minister Tomo Medved.