VATICAN CITY — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday for a private audience marked by warm gestures and discussions on global peace, education, and international cooperation.
In a symbolic exchange during the meeting at the Apostolic Palace, Prime Minister Abiy gifted the Pope with Ethiopian coffee and honey—offering the items, he said, “to remember Ethiopia.”
The two leaders engaged in wide-ranging talks that touched on both bilateral ties and multilateral challenges, with a shared emphasis on promoting peace and expanding access to education globally.
“Grateful to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the warm welcome to the Vatican earlier today,” Abiy wrote in a post on X shortly after the meeting. “Our discussions focused on both bilateral and multilateral issues, including our shared commitment to global peace. We also agreed on the importance of collaborating to expand access to education.”
Grateful to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the warm welcome to the Vatican earlier today. Our discussions focused on both bilateral and multilateral issues, including our shared commitment to global peace. We also agreed on the importance of collaborating to expand access to
Vatican News described the audience as more than a diplomatic formality, calling it “a vibrant tapestry woven with hope, shared values, and a vision for a better world.”
While details of the conversation were not fully disclosed, the meeting signals Ethiopia’s continued efforts to strengthen its international partnerships amid ongoing regional tensions and efforts to rebuild national unity.
Pope Leo XIV welcomed the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, to a private audience in the Apostolic Palace this morning.During the meeting, the Prime Minister presented the Pope with coffee from the country as he said “to remember Ethiopia.”
The Vatican audience adds to Prime Minister Abiy’s diplomatic engagements on the global stage since being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his role in ending a two-decade conflict with Eritrea.
His government has since navigated complex domestic and geopolitical challenges, including internal conflict and humanitarian concerns in Tigray and neighboring regions.
The symbolic gift of coffee—the crop most associated with Ethiopia’s identity and economy—also reflected a personal touch.
Coffee is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, and it remains a proud emblem of the country’s culture and hospitality.
