Costa Rican President Laura Fernández met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, discussing key issues including immigration, national security, and social development, Rome Reports reported. The meeting marked a significant engagement for President Fernández, who assumed office in February, with the Holy See.
A primary focus of the discussion between President Fernández and Pope Leo XIV was the complex issue of immigration, particularly the substantial influx of Nicaraguan immigrants into Costa Rica. President Fernández elaborated on the phenomenon of Nicaraguan immigration to Costa Rica, noting that Nicaraguans constitute the largest immigrant group in the country. She described their arrival as a “humanitarian exodus” and emphasized Costa Rica's commitment to welcoming them in an orderly manner to ensure they can live in peace in the country.
Fernández also highlighted Costa Rica's cooperative relationship with the U.S. government on security matters. This collaboration includes a policy of mutual support and cooperation, under which Costa Rica facilitates stopovers and provides safe and dignified accommodations for individuals undergoing deportation processes by the U.S.
The discussions extended to Costa Rica's domestic security policies. President Fernández outlined recent initiatives, including a cooperation effort with El Salvador. This collaboration led to the recent inauguration of a new mega-prison in Costa Rica, modeled after El Salvador's CECOT facility. This project, she explained, represents a commitment to enhancing national security and ensuring the isolation of incarcerated gang members from those who are free.
Addressing the need for legal reform, President Fernández stated that while Costa Rica is a peaceful country that respects human rights, the time has come to modernize some national laws to prevent the country from becoming a sanctuary for criminals in the future. She described a dual public policy approach: a significant investment in education and healthcare, specifically targeting children and youth to prevent their recruitment by organized crime, alongside the implementation of tough-on-crime policies.
The meeting between President Fernández and Pope Leo XIV lasted just over half an hour. During their audience, the Costa Rican President extended an invitation to the Pope to visit Costa Rica and specifically to visit Our Lady of the Angels, the country’s patron saint.
Beyond migration and security, the leaders also discussed a range of other topics. These included geopolitical issues, Costa Rica's current economic situation and conditions, education, strategies for supporting vulnerable families, and the ongoing fight against narco-terrorism. As a symbolic exchange, Pope Leo XIV received gifts of Costa Rican coffee and a national soccer team jersey.
President Fernández underscored the cultural and moral foundation of her nation, stating that she represents the people of Costa Rica, a people of faith and values, dedicated to upholding human dignity and working for the family every day. She described the audience with the Holy Father as being of enormous importance to her country, emphasizing its significance for Costa Rica as a Catholic country, of people with values and principles.
Following her meeting with Pope Leo XIV, President Fernández also met with other Vatican officials. These subsequent discussions continued to address issues related to security and migration, further elaborating on the themes initially raised with the pontiff.