Antonio Tajani, the Christian, gets straight to the heart of the matter. Pope Leo XIV, appearing before the world from the Loggia of Blessings, “spoke of God, he prayed — there’s a return to spiritual depth that, as a believer, truly moved me”. Tajani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is instead struck by the Pope’s firm call for peace, “unarmed and disarming,” in the tradition of Pope Francis. “The world is riddled with wars between Christians — they must stop. Let us hope they listen to this Pope”. The Deputy Prime Minister had just left the Quirinale. He tells Il Messaggero that he was moved when the white smoke appeared in the sky above the Hill. In those moments, while the highest offices of the State were speaking of defence, arms and security, the habemus papam from St Peter’s Square seemed to suspend time.
Minister, what happened inside that room?
“We stopped as soon as the news came in and looked each other in the eye. At the end of the day, we are Christians — Mattarella, Meloni, myself. We watched the Pope appear from the Loggia on a screen. I was moved”.
What kind of Church will that of Leo XIV be?
“From his first words, a Church for all — open to the world and the many wars afflicting it. Often wars between Christians. It is a frightened world, there is a lack of trust — there is a need for a reassuring Church”.
The first American Pope. Maybe Trump will return to Rome…
“If he wishes, he’ll be welcome”.
A Western Pope, ultimately.
“That is significant. But I am certain that Prevost will be a universal Pope, Catholic as the Church has been since its foundation. I’m especially pleased that he was Bishop of Chiclayo, a Peruvian city I’m deeply attached to”.
Why is that?
“That city remains with me. I visited the young people of the Comunità in Dialogo, committed to fighting addiction — just like the Trivigliano community that I closely follow with Father Matteo Tagliaferri. I remember the people in Peru speaking of Bishop Prevost with deep affection”.
What struck you most about Pope Leo?
“His firm appeal for peace. We live in a frightened world, wounded by wars with uncertain outcomes — most recently the tensions between India and Pakistan. Now more than ever, we need a steadfast Pope, an anchor of salvation, able to speak to everyone. And there’s more”.
What else?
“His choice to speak about God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and the Gospel — a profoundly spiritual message. And that vestment he wore, in the tradition of Peter…”
Let’s return to his call for peace. What role can the Church play?
“A vital one. The Church has always worked for peace — from the world wars to many conflicts where its mediation proved decisive, such as in Mozambique. I hope world leaders listen to Prevost’s message in St Peter’s Square. God is peace”.
With Ukraine and Gaza, it’s hard to remain hopeful these days.
“On the contrary, we must and we can. And the Church can make a difference. I’m thinking of the difficult negotiations to bring back Ukrainian children abducted to Russia, and of Pope Francis’s concern for Gaza’s civilians”.
Pope Francis’s diplomacy has often been criticised — for his reluctance to take sides in the Ukraine conflict, and for his strong statements regarding the war between Israel and Hamas.
“Such criticism is unfair. I remember Francis holding up the Ukrainian flag, his condemnation of the 7 October attacks, his continued support for Gaza’s civilians”.
Now it’s up to a missionary.
“A bearer of faith in the world — that’s a fundamental aspect. Missionaries are architects of a diplomacy of solidarity, something we desperately need. That’s why I dedicated a special G7 session in Pescara to them”.
Ethics, bioethics, civil rights. On these issues, Prevost may not fully align with Francis. Do you hope so?
“Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. As a Christian, I am in favour of defending life in all its forms. But the laws of a secular state are, and must remain, separate from Church doctrine”.
Which Popes were you most attached to?
“I’ve seen many come and go. I was born during the time of Pius XII — he marked my childhood, a very solemn Pope. John Paul II was a saint, Ratzinger a master of faith — each one had their strengths. What I do see is continuity — in the efforts of these Popes for peace. From Pius XII — we remember the photo of his bloodied vestment in San Lorenzo after the bombings of Rome — to Pope Francis. I’m certain that Pope Leo XIV will follow those same footsteps”.
Let’s end with Rome, which in recent months has returned to being the capital of diplomacy and the global Church.
“Indeed, and not only because of what happened in the Vatican. I’m thinking of the meeting between Iran and the United States hosted in the capital, and of a city rediscovering itself as the beating heart of Christianity. No leader in the world has the power to draw attention like a Pope when he steps onto the Loggia of St Peter’s Square. Rome has proven worthy of this role, and we will ensure it remains so in future with the institutional reform that gives the capital the importance it deserves”.
