PM to meet world leaders ahead of Pope's inauguration

Anthony Albanese is set to meet with world leaders as they gather in Vatican City ahead of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration.

The prime minister flew into Rome on Friday from Jakarta, after holding formal meetings with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in his first overseas trip after his election victory.

While a list of who Mr Albanese will hold talks with ahead of the inauguration has not been released publicly, a large number of world leaders are flying to the Vatican to attend the event on Sunday.

Among those in attendance will be Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

US Vice President JD Vance is set to represent America at the event in place of President Donald Trump, while Prince William will also attend.

It's expected Mr Albanese will formally invite Pope Leo XIV to Australia for the International Eucharist Conference, which will take place in 2028.

"It is also a great honour to represent Australia at Pope Leo XIV's inauguration - a historic occasion for the Catholic Church," Mr Albanese said in a statement.

"The event will connect Catholics around the world, and the millions of Australians of Catholic faith, as they celebrate and welcome the new Bishop of Rome and pontiff to amplify his message of peace and social justice for all humanity.

"I look forward to reinforcing Australia's strong relationship with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV's pontificate."

Pope Leo XIV is the first person from North America to be appointed to the position as head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

The death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, came during the federal election, which led to campaign events being suspended for the day.

Mr Albanese, who is also Catholic, told the Inside Politics podcast while he often doesn't talk about his religious views, it had informed his morals in politics.

"It's part of who I am, my upbringing," he said.

"During the campaign, one of the statements I made that resonated ... was that kindness isn't weakness.

"That really is something that's a part of how I was raised in the Catholic faith about having compassion and kindness for people, particularly vulnerable people."