Overview

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Rome for the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV at St Peter’s Square on Sunday, following a visit to Jakarta to meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
• This marks Albanese's first international trip since securing a second term in the May 3 election, emphasizing his focus on advancing Australia's diplomatic and trade relationships.
• Bilateral meetings are planned with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with discussions on a potential EU-Australia free trade deal expected.
• Uncertainty remains over whether US President Donald Trump will attend the inauguration or hold a face-to-face meeting with Albanese, as tensions persist over US tariffs on Australian imports.
• Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, was elected last Thursday after one of the shortest conclaves in history, following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.