European Commission president raises prospect to two-way ‘stability’ as PM reaffirms support for Ukraine and speaks to Pope Leo XIV about his mother

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The European Union has raised the prospect of a security pact with Australia as Anthony Albanese met with world leaders in Rome, including a brief conversation with Pope Leo XIV following the pontiff’s inauguration mass.

The prime minister met with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen overnight in the Italian capital to discuss the “constructive relationship” Australia can play in “today’s uncertain world”.

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