Pope to visit San Marino, address Catholic gathering in Italy

Pope Leo XIV is set to visit San Marino, the world's smallest republic, on Saturday. This stop will be followed by a cultural and political event in Rimini, Italy, organized by an influential Catholic group. The trip, which marks another brief pastoral visit this summer, will see the pope spend a morning in San Marino, before addressing a gathering of Communion and Liberation, a Christian group.

The event, known as the "Rimini Meeting," typically draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer. Pope Leo, who rules over Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, will meet with local authorities and hold a prayer service in the local basilica. He will later address an audience at 4:00 pm, speaking on religion, culture, and politics.

Fellow speakers at the event include Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Italy's deputy prime ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini. Prior to the event, Pope Leo will visit an exhibition dedicated to Saint Augustine and meet with people with disabilities and sick members of the faith at Rimini's cathedral. This will be the first time a pontiff has taken part in the event since Pope John Paul II in 1982.