Pope Leo has 'genuine desire' for end of wars - Irish PM

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin has said Pope Leo XIV is determined to try to move the world away from war, following their meeting in the Vatican.

Martin and his wife Mary were greeted in the San Damaso Courtyard on Friday morning before meeting the Pope in the Papal Library.

Speaking after a 45-minute meeting, Martin said: "My sense is he has a genuine desire for an end to the wars that are happening in the Middle East and the war in Sudan, in particular, and Ukraine."

The taoiseach said the pair did not discuss the specifics of the Gaza flotilla issue, but discussed the wider issue of the war in Gaza, the West Bank conflict and the war in Iran.

"I get the sense that the Pope was really very anxious to try and get the world to move in a different direction to the one that's moving in at the moment, which is one of increasing conflict and war, which is having terrible effects on people," Martin said.

Martin said they also discussed the issue of clerical abuse in Ireland and the question of redress for victims.

He said he asked the Pope that "every effort would be made to get the religious orders to engage proactively on the matter of redress".

Martin said the government had set up a commission of inquiry into day and boarding schools. He said one of the orders had come forward, but added that "a lot of orders haven't".

The taoiseach said he did not want to put words in the Pope's mouth, but added: "Very clearly he's of the disposition the church has to have ownership of this."

"We discussed the issue of trauma itself, that it's not something that [is resolved through] one act or one engagement.

"He's very aware of that, that this is an enduring program of work that doesn't begin with a commission of inquiry or acknowledgement of guilt, but that it has to be worked on constantly and on a continuing basis."

In addition, Martin said he and the Pope held a discussion on conflict.

"He was interested in the cessation of conflict in Northern Ireland, but also, how does one sustain a peace? How does one nurture a peace?" the taoiseach said.

"I pointed out to him that it's one thing to achieve peace in terms of an agreement, but the much more difficult task is actually nurturing that peace along, building reconciliation, and he was interested in the Irish experience," he said.

The taoiseach said the Pope would be very welcome to visit Ireland, but added that the Pontiff has a busy schedule.

The taoiseach also held talks with the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The meeting with Meloni took place ahead of Ireland's presidency of the EU Council from July.

The two leaders discussed reducing energy costs across Europe as well as ongoing international conflicts.

The taoiseach stated that competitiveness would be a "key focus" of its presidency of the EU Council.

He said Ireland would advance the One Europe, One Market roadmap, which aims to secure a change in Europe's economic performance, through simplified rules, deepening the Single Market, and driving AI transformation.

During a joint press conference at the Palazzo Chigi on Friday, the taoiseach said that the deadline set for the roadmap was "very ambitious, but as president we will put our full weight behind achieving them.

"I am in full agreement with prime minister Meloni that the competitiveness challenge is vital for the continued prosperity and success in Europe," he added.

Martin also praised Italy's contribution to humanitarian aid for Gaza and claimed that both nations were "unswerving" in their support for Ukraine.

The taoiseach also had a bilateral meeting with the Holy See Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin.

He said he told Parolin that Ireland was "ready to support through our experience and officials that we have - and people who have been involved in our peace process - to be supportive of any work that the Vatican is involved in in terms of conflict resolution".

"He responded positively to that, because it's very clear human dignity and suffering, and the end of violence is very much the top priority for Pope Leo," he said.

Later, the taoiseach attended the Pontifical Irish College in Rome to meet members of the college community and view its archives.

Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar had a meeting with Pope Francis in 2018 during his visit to Ireland.

It was to the first papal visit to Ireland for 39 years.

Speaking in April 2025, Varadkar said the visit came at a time when relationships with the Catholic Church were "quite difficult".