Péter Magyar meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar held a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on September 24, 2026. The meeting, which Magyar described as “open and friendly,” covered a range of topics including the socio-economic context of Hungary, the challenges facing Europe, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the isolation of young people.

As part of the visit, Magyar presented the Pope with historical gifts, including a handwritten transcript of Pope Pius XII’s 1956 radio address and the first American edition of Cardinal József Mindszenty’s memoirs. Following the audience, Magyar held discussions with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, regarding bilateral relations and international issues such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The visit comes during a period of political transition in Hungary following the election of Magyar’s Tisza Party. While Magyar presented himself as a devout Christian, members of the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP) criticized the visit as “purely for show,” arguing that his government's policies often conflict with Catholic teachings.