President of the Republic António José Seguro will travel to the Vatican next week for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, followed by a visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg to mark the 50th anniversary of Portugal's accession. The President has formally invited the Pope to visit Portugal in 2027.
President António José Seguro schedules Vatican and Strasbourg visits
Context & Explainers

- President of Portugal (since March 9, 2026)
- Party: Independent. Former leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Partido Socialista
- Center-left
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.
Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.
Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.
6 sources
- President of the Republic travels to the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and to Strasbourgcmjornal.pt ·
- Seguro in Strasbourg and the Vatican for a meeting with the Popeobservador.pt ·
- Seguro travels to the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and to Strasbourgpublico.pt ·
- Seguro goes to the Vatican for a meeting with Leo XIVcnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- President of the Republic to visit the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and the Council of Europe in Strasbourgdn.pt ·
- President Seguro travels to the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Leo XIVrtp.pt ·

