President Gustavo Petro meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived in Italy for a state visit and held a private audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. The meeting focused on Colombia’s sociopolitical challenges, organized transnational crime, climate change, and efforts to promote peace, reconciliation and national unity. Petro was accompanied by his two granddaughters, daughter Andrea Petro Herrán, communications chief Andrés Camilo Hernández and ambassador Iván Velásquez.

The visit also drew attention to the presence of Vanessa Cortés Carmona, identified in Colombian media as Petro’s girlfriend, who was seen walking beside members of the delegation. Her role in the Vatican entourage prompted public questions about why she accompanied the presidential commission.

The Vatican’s press office said the dialogue reflected “satisfaction with the good relations between Colombia and the Holy See” and underscored mutual collaboration on peace and social issues as Petro’s term approaches its final month.