EU floats security pact with Australia as Albanese meets with world leaders in Rome

<p>European Commission president raises prospect to two-way ‘stability’ as PM reaffirms support for Ukraine and speaks to Pope Leo XIV about his mother </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/19/australia-news-live-albanese-zelenskyy-europe-pope-coalition-sussan-ley-nuclear-power-net-zero-ntwnfb">Australia news live: latest politics updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p>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.</p><p>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”.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/19/eu-australia-security-pact">Continue reading...</a>