This morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the President of the Republic of Guatemala, His Excellency Mr. Bernard Arévalo de León, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the talks held at the Secretariat of State, mutual appreciation for the good relations between Guatemala and the Holy See was reaffirmed, as was the desire to strengthen them further. Attention then turned to issues of mutual interest, such as socio-economic trends, the fight against poverty, corruption, drug trafficking and crime, as well as collaboration with the local Church to promote social cohesion and for the good of the country.

Finally, some issues of a regional and international socio-political nature were addressed, with special attention to migration and to ongoing conflicts.

From the Vatican, 11 October 2025