The formal inauguration of the Supreme Pontiff brought together leaders from all over the world. Photo: Anthony Albanese/Facebook.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spent the opening weeks of his second term on a whirlwind tour of Indonesia and the Holy See, meeting with figures key to Australian interests.
Diplomacy and ceremony go hand-in-hand as the PM used the backdrop of Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, new Canadian PM Mark Carney and the Bishop of Rome himself.
In talks with Mr Zelenskyy, Mr Albanese reaffirmed his commitment to the beleaguered and war-weary nation, saying the Ukrainian people’s struggle was one for national sovereignty as well as “the international rule of law”.
The talks come just days after Australian man Oscar Jenkins was sentenced to 13 years in jail by a Russian court after being captured fighting for Ukraine.
Defence and trade were on the agenda as Mr Albanese spoke with Ms von der Leyen.
“We said that we are certainly interested in any further engagement of support,” the PM said, mentioning existing arrangements with Germany and other EU countries.
“But it’s very early stages at this point. So we should imagine that future discussions may take place either at NATO or on a bilateral basis between Australia and the European Union.”
The PM was reticent to provide details, saying the meeting was an “assertion of Europe’s values being consistent with Australia’s values, and in what ways could be explored further defence cooperation”.
It had been expected that much of the talk with Ms von der Leyen would focus on failed free-trade talks that stalled in recent years, something the PM seems to have a renewed focus on in light of uncertainty in the relationship with Washington.
The statement went on to include a notably curt response to questions about a meeting with American officials.
Asked whether he had spoken with Vice-President JD Vance, the PM responded simply: “No.”
“He arrived quite late in terms of just prior to the Mass taking place, as you will have seen,” the PM subsequently said after being pressed further on whether he had attempted to speak with the VP.
On further questioning about a meeting with President Donald Trump, Mr Albanese said it would occur at an appropriate time.
Mr Albanese spoke of warm discussions with Mark Carney, the Canadian PM elected recently in an upset win that many attribute to the leader’s strong stance against the US and the President in particular.
Canada has recently sought to purchase Australian defence technology to defend its vast Arctic territory.
The global tour appears to represent the foreign policy and geopolitical positioning of the renewed Albanese Government. Where previous governments have taken a more deferential approach to the US, the uncertainty provided by the new administration gives Mr Albanese the political capital to diversify, namely with Indonesia, the EU and Canada (a NATO member).
The PM used the opportunity abroad to speak about Australia as a player in international affairs.
“We punch above our weight, we’re a middle power, and we sometimes, I think, in Australia, sometimes we don’t, we talk ourselves down a bit,” he said.
“We can have an impact on the world.”
