Emerging reports indicate that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Barham Salih, has met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. While details of the discussions are still under wraps, Barham Salih hailed the Pope’s commitment toward refugee support in recent months.
Barham Salim Thanks Pope Leo XIV For Refugee Assistance
According to a disclosure on X, Salih met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican with a delegation from the UNHCR on January 26 to discuss the state of the global humanitarian crisis.
Despite being a closed-door meeting, reports floating out of the Vatican revealed that Salih and Pope Leo XIV cross-pollinated ideas on rising refugee numbers and falling aid metrics.
In an X post confirming the meeting, Salih praised the Pope’s activism for refugees. Salih, a former Iraqi president, noted that apart from the Pope’s activism with refugees, his moral stance on the humanitarian crisis resonates with the UNCHR’s work.
“I was honored to meet His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and thank him for his steadfast support for refugees,” said Salih. “His moral and spiritual leadership aligns deeply with our work to promote protection and dignity for people forced to flee in today’s challenging global context.”
I was honoured to meet His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and thank him for his steadfast support for refugees.
His moral and spiritual leadership aligns deeply with our work to promote protection and dignity for people forced to flee in today’s challenging global context. pic.twitter.com/AmbQo9aofS
— Barham Salih (@BarhamSalih) January 26, 2026
Pope Leo XIV has adopted a vocal stance toward the issue of refugees, drumming up support for resettlement and aid. In an official message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Leo XIV described refugees as “witnesses of hope” while drawing parallels to Christian pilgrims
Back in late 2025, Pope Leo pushed for a “culture of reconciliation” to support over 100 million migrants and displaced persons. He urged Italy to open its borders to migrants and asylum-seekers while hailing the Catholic Charities USA for its continued support.
UNHCR Ramps Up Its Efforts
Meanwhile, Salih’s visit to the Pope comes on the heels of an African tour for the UNHCR chief. Shortly after his appointment at the start of the year, Salih arrived in Kenya for his first official visit as High Commissioner.
After Kenya, Salih met with Sudanese refugees at Adre at the Chadian border to interface with thousands of displaced persons. Last week, the UNHCR waded in to provide emergency aid to thousands of persons displaced by floods in Mozambique.
