The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of San Marino in London took part in the recent working visit undertaken, together with a British parliamentary delegation, to the Holy See on 22 October 2025, during the Vatican Jubilee Year 2025.
The visit, which coincided with the historic audience of His Majesty King Charles III with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, took place at a moment of exceptional spiritual and diplomatic significance. The convergence of these events underscored the shared values of peace, dialogue, and unity among nations, principles that both the Repubblica di San Marino e il United Kingdom uphold with enduring commitment.
The Jubilee Year 2025, celebrated under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” is a time of renewal and reconciliation, inviting the global community to reflect on solidarity and compassion. San Marino’s participation in this sacred year reaffirmed its long-standing friendship with the Holy See and its dedication to fostering interfaith understanding, international cooperation, and the promotion of human dignity.
The delegation, led by Cav. Andrew Rosindell MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on San Marino, and composed of Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum ( Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Independent MPs), engaged in a series of high-level meetings and official events within Vatican City. Their presence represented the values of San Marino’s enduring independence, its tradition of faith, and its diplomatic engagement in the service of peace.
The visit also highlighted the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy as a bridge for understanding and cooperation among nations. Through the ongoing work of the APPG on San Marino, both San Marino and the United Kingdom continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship, one rooted in shared democratic principles, cultural exchange, and mutual respect.
Highlights of this visit include:
General Audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
On the morning of Wednesday, 22 October, the delegation attended the General Audience of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
Following the conclusion of the Audience, the delegation was graciously permitted a brief moment with the Holy Father before the façade of Saint Peter’s Basilica. The encounter served as a symbolic affirmation of friendship between the Holy See, the Republic of San Marino, and the United Kingdom, and of the shared aspiration toward peace and fraternity among peoples.
Audience with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States
Following the General Audience, the delegation was escorted to the Apostolic Palace for a meeting with the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
As Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla were due to arrive the following day for their State Visit, His Excellency outlined the programme of ecumenical services taking place in Rome, including the service in the Sistine Chapel, presided over by the Archbishop of York, and the liturgy at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, during which His Majesty the King would be conferred the title of “Royal Confrater.”
In his remarks on policy, Archbishop Gallagher emphasised the Holy See’s consistent position of neutrality in international conflicts, grounded in its mission to promote peace and protect human life. He cited recent crises, notably those between Israel and Palestine, and Ukraine and Russia, reaffirming that the Vatican unequivocally condemns unprovoked aggression, such as the invasion of sovereign Ukrainian territory and the massacre of civilians on 7 October 2025.
At the same time, His Excellency highlighted the Holy See’s call for the preservation of religious freedom and its appeal to all state actors to ensure moral proportionality in their actions, rejecting any policy of collective or disproportionate punishment.
Archbishop Gallagher, who maintains a warm and long-standing relationship with the Repubblica di San Marino, including applying the principle of neutrality in the international arena, expressed his esteem for the delegation and extended his good wishes for the continuation of the Republic’s diplomatic work and parliamentary engagement.
San Marino is honoured to have shared in this moment of spiritual reflection and diplomatic dialogue, said Consul Maurizio Bragagni. The Jubilee Year and the concurrent royal visit remind us that faith and diplomacy can walk together, guiding nations toward understanding, respect, and peace.
The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of San Marino in London continues to promote the Republic of San Marino’s cultural, diplomatic, and parliamentary engagement in the United Kingdom, working to strengthen ties through cooperation, education, and the shared values that unite our nations in friendship and peace.
