On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV traveled to the microstate of San Marino and the Italian city of Rimini, delivering a message of peace and dialogue in a world scarred by conflict. The visit marked the first papal trip to San Marino in over 15 years and the first attendance at the Communion and Liberation Meeting since Pope John Paul II in 1982.
Addressing the Grand and General Council in San Marino, the Pope praised the republic as a potential "laboratory of good politics," where secular governance can coexist with the principles of Catholic social doctrine. He highlighted the pursuit of the common good, the universal destination of goods, and the balance between subsidiarity and solidarity as guiding values.
San Marino, with its 35,000 inhabitants, is one of the world's oldest republics, tracing its origins to the 4th century AD and maintaining its current legal system since 1243. The Pope invoked the traditional line of the Captains Regent, the highest authorities of this third-smallest European state, to renew his call for peace, diplomacy, and multilateralism, and to condemn the "power politics" that trample international humanitarian law.
From the balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico, the seat of the San Marino government, Leo XIV greeted the faithful gathered in Piazza della Libertà. "I am truly happy to be here with you, to greet you, to savour the beauty, history, tradition and faith of this people of San Marino. Always remain united in this welcoming spirit," he said. The scene echoed the historic visit of John Paul II on 29 August 1982, the first papal trip to the republic. Benedict XVI followed in 2011 with a pastoral journey to the diocese that includes San Marino and parts of Italy.
In his speech, the Pope emphasized that "freedom is fulfilled in encounter and dialogue," warning against political and economic projects that "present themselves in the name of freedom, but in reality are enslaved to idols and to power." He also noted San Marino's upcoming Association Agreement with the European Union, expressing confidence that the republic's commitment to the common good would benefit the broader European project.
The Captains Regent, Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva, responded warmly, saying, "Your Holiness, your presence rests upon our ancient history as a sign of light, renewing the deep bonds that, over time, have united the Holy See and our Republic."
A historic return to the Rimini Meeting
After his engagements in San Marino, Leo XIV traveled 25 kilometers to Rimini to attend the 47th edition of the Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples, organized by the lay Catholic movement Communion and Liberation, founded by Father Luigi Giussani. His presence is historic, as no pope has attended since John Paul II in 1982.
Thousands of people lined up from early morning at the city's exhibition center, where the event is held. With a capacity of 20,000 seats, organizers set up giant screens for overflow crowds. Last year, attendance reached 800,000.
The meeting's opening on Friday featured a message from Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who often aligns with papal appeals. "We are living in a time when senseless wars are being fought while very narrow oligarchies accumulate powers greater than those of many sovereign states," he wrote. "Solidarity, social friendship and the gratuitousness of love can open up unprecedented horizons even for politics, the economy and civic life."
During his visit, Leo XIV also prayed at the Basilica of San Marino and venerated the relics of the patron saint. He told ecclesiastical authorities, "We live in a world wounded by many conflicts, where, with concern, we see growing violence, closed attitudes and fear of others. Faced with these disturbing trends, our only possible response is to walk with even greater conviction along the path of the Gospel."
The pope's itinerary included a private lunch at the Monastery of Sant'Antonio, continuing a day that blended spiritual reflection with a clear political message. His repeated emphasis on diplomacy and international law comes at a time when conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere test the global order.
Leo XIV's visit to San Marino and Rimini underscores the Vatican's ongoing engagement with European microstates and civil society, reinforcing the pope's vision of a church that speaks to contemporary challenges. As the peace initiatives multiply across continents, his call for dialogue resonates beyond Catholic circles.
