Latvia’s president, Pontiff discuss peace
September 05, 2026
President Edgars Rinkēvičs of Latvia discussed peace during a September 4 audience with Pope Leo XIV.
“It was an honor to meet His Holiness Pope Leo XIV,” President Rinkēvičs said in a social media post. “I invited His Holiness to visit Latvia. We discussed peace in Ukraine, Europe, and the world.”
Following the audience, Latvia’s president met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. The Holy See Press Office said in a statement:
During the cordial talks at the Secretariat of State, satisfaction was expressed at the good relations existing between the Holy See and the Republic of Latvia. The discussions also addressed matters of common interest at both the international and regional levels, with particular reference to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reaffirming the need for greater commitment on the part of the international community to promote peaceful solutions.
For his part, President Rinkēvičs said:
As always good to meet Secretary of State His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher. I appreciate efforts by the Holy See to bring back Russia’s abducted Ukrainian children to their families.
Latvia, a Baltic nation of 1.9 million (map), is 83% Christian (38% Protestant, 25% Catholic, 20% Catholic). Pope Francis made an apostolic journey there in 2018.
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