Australian Ambassador to the Holy See presents credentials to Pope Leo XIV

10 Jun 2025

By Contributor

Keith Pitt, Australia’s new ambassador to the Holy See, gives Pope Leo XIV a piece of art made by students and staff at St Francis Catholic Primary School in Tannum Sands, Australia, during a meeting on 3 June 2025, in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media.

Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, His Excellency Keith Pitt has last week Tuesday 3 June, met with Pope Leo XIV.

Meeting in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the Ambassador of Australia to the Holy See on the occasion of the presentation of Mr Pitt’s credential letters.

Pope Leo XIV accepts the letters of credential of Keith Pitt as Australia’s new ambassador to the Holy See during a meeting on 3 June 2025, in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media.

Born 31 August 1969, Mr Pitt is married with three children and is a qualified Electrical Engineer.

Having served as Member for Hinkler, Queensland from the Liberal National Party since 2013, Mr Pitt has been Minister for Resources and Water from 2021 to 2022, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister in 2019 and Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment from 2016 to 2017.

After working as an electrical engineer and electrician, entrepreneur and farmer, he held the following offices: Under-Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister (2016), Under-Secretary for Trade, Tourism and Investment (2016-2017), Under-Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister (2018), Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australian (2020-2021) (Cabinet), Minister for Resources and Water (2021-2022) (Cabinet), and member of the Federal Parliament (Hinkler Division) (2013-2024).

Pope Leo XIV meets with Keith Pitt, Australia’s new ambassador to the Holy See, in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on 3 June 2025. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media.