Visit By President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Rome, 4 to 5 March 2026

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam made a working visit to Rome, Italy, to co-chair a meeting of the World Bank Group’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs and address a high-level international symposium on jobs on 4 March 2026. President Tharman also had bilateral engagements with leaders from Italy and the Holy See.

On 4 March, President Tharman met President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella. President Tharman and President Mattarella welcomed the growing cooperation between Singapore and Italy in areas including the economy, culture, science, and defence. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments. 

On 5 March, President Tharman had an audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. This was President Tharman’s first meeting with Pope Leo XIV. They discussed the importance of interfaith understanding, especially in a more turbulent global environment. They also discussed the opportunities and challenges posed by AI for jobs, public discourse and global stability and peace. President Tharman also met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. They reaffirmed the longstanding and friendly relations between Singapore and the Holy See, and discussed how Singapore and the Holy See could strengthen bilateral relations.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

5 MARCH 2026