Pope Leo XIV visits San Marino, the oldest republic in the world and a ‘laboratory’ of good policies

Pope Leo XIV on Aug. 22 arrived in San Marino, launching a pastoral visit on the occasion of the country’s 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

The Holy Father was also scheduled to visit the Italian city of Rimini, where the Meeting for Friendship Between Peoples takes place.

The pope left Rome by helicopter around 8 a.m. and arrived 45 minutes later at the Torraccia airfield in San Marino. There he was received by the Captains Regent Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva who were accompanied by various local officials.

Also present in the welcome delegation was the apostolic nuncio in Italy and the Republic of San Marino, Monsignor Edgar Peña Parra, as well as Monsignor Domenico Beneventi, the bishop of San Marino-Montefeltro.

In a telegram addressed to Italian President Sergio Mattarella — sent by custom as the pope was leaving Italian territory — Leo expressed his greetings, accompanied “with fervent wishes for the spiritual, civil and social progress of my beloved Italy.”

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims in the Piazza della Libertà in San Marino, Aug. 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Upon his arrival, military honors were given to the pope,…