Pope Leo XIV and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have held talks in the Vatican City during the first private audience between a pope and an Australian leader in 16 years.

The prime minister was met on Monday by the Swiss Guard and escorted into the Apostolic Palace, the pontiff’s private residence.

During their talks, Pope Leo blessed the rosary beads of Albanese’s late mother, who was a Catholic, while the prime minister presented the pontiff with an artwork by an Indigenous artist.

Albanese, congratulated Pope Leo on his election and praised the Holy See’s role in promoting dialogue to pursue peace.

The prime minister also formally invited the new pope to attend the. World Eucharistic Congress, which will be hosted by Sydney in 2028.

Pope Leo travelled several times to Australia as head of the Augustinian order, and Catholic leaders in Australia hope he will make the trip again as pope.

The meeting with Albanese was part of a major two days of diplomacy for the new pope since world leaders arrived in Rome for his first mass.

He also held talks with US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.