Parliament Approves President Seguro’s Vatican & Europe Visits
Portugal’s Parliament has unanimously greenlit two high-profile international visits for President António José Seguro. The Head of State is scheduled to travel to the Vatican next week for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, followed by a trip to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, the following week.
A Spiritual and Diplomatic Mission to the Vatican
President Seguro’s visit to the Holy See, scheduled for September 23–24, follows a formal invitation he extended to Pope Leo XIV in May. The President hopes to host the Pontiff in Portugal in 2027 to mark a triple milestone: the 110th anniversary of the Fátima apparitions, the 10th anniversary of the canonization of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and the 500th anniversary of the formalization of the apostolic nunciature in Portugal.
The Presidency previously characterized the relationship between Portugal and the Holy See as a model of “institutional dialogue and mutual respect,” rooted in shared values of humanism, peace, and dignity.
Celebrating 50 Years at the Council of Europe
From September 29–30, the President will travel to Strasbourg to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Portugal’s accession to the Council of Europe. Portugal joined the human rights organization in 1976, shortly after the restoration of democracy. The Council, founded in 1949, now comprises 46 member states dedicated to upholding the rule of law and fundamental freedoms across the continent.
Constitutional Formalities and Presidential Travels
Under the Portuguese Constitution, the President of the Republic is prohibited from leaving national territory without formal authorization from the Assembly of the Republic. Today’s unanimous vote ensures the President can proceed with his diplomatic agenda.
Since taking office on March 9, President Seguro has maintained a busy international schedule, completing eight overseas trips to date. His travels have included a state visit to Cape Verde, as well as official missions to Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, France, and the United States.
Image: Pexels – Max Avans
