On January 10, 2026, the ornate halls of the Vatican became the setting for a meeting that could have far-reaching consequences for millions across Europe. Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), met privately with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to discuss some of the continent’s most urgent social challenges: poverty, housing, mental health, and the rise of artificial intelligence. The encounter, marked by its candor and sense of shared mission, brought both spiritual and civic leaders together in a call for renewed compassion and action.
According to the European Economic and Social Committee, the meeting’s agenda zeroed in on the stark reality that, despite the European Union’s immense wealth, “21% of the population remains at risk of poverty and social exclusion.” Boland, an Irishman who has led the EESC since October, did not mince words. “The EU must listen, and we all must do better,” he said after the audience. He expressed gratitude for Pope Leo’s willingness to use his “powerful voice to spread a message of inclusion and the need to protect the most marginalized.”
Boland’s concerns, as reported by the EESC and corroborated by Italian media, are rooted in hard numbers and lived experience. Over 90 million Europeans are currently at risk of exclusion—a staggering figure that underscores the depth of the problem. “Large segments of the population are forgotten, often because of where they live,” Boland explained. “These people must be reached, listened to, and brought into European policies. It is a fundamental part of my mandate to bring those most in need to the forefront of EU policies.”
One of the most pressing topics was the continent’s housing crisis. Boland described it as “a chronic problem, more serious than COVID,” referencing the emergency measures deployed during the pandemic as a model for the urgent response now required. “Many of them now live on the streets, in cars, in hostels, in hospitals, where they should not be,” he stated. The statistics are sobering: the first EU Summit on Housing is scheduled for 2026, during which the European Plan for Accessible Housing will be presented. The ambitious goal? To build or renovate around 650,000 homes per year, with a special focus on the most vulnerable—single-parent families, the elderly, young people, and the homeless.
The forthcoming summit will also consider the formation of a new European Alliance for Housing, aiming to simplify state aid rules for social housing and develop strategies to counter speculation and the growing burden of short-term rentals in cities. “The summit will have to establish that every strategy includes rules and aid that ensure housing for these categories of people,” Boland commented, highlighting a need for practical solutions that go beyond rhetoric.
But the conversation in Rome did not stop at bricks and mortar. The ecological transition—a central pillar of the EU’s future—was another focal point. Boland, drawing on his rural Irish background, warned that “the costs will fall on the poorest, so we must ensure it does not fuel new forms of inequality.” He explained, “People on low incomes should not be punished; they should be given support. Otherwise, those at risk of poverty will not be able to cope with climate change measures.” His perspective was shaped by years of working with farmers and rural communities, who have often borne the brunt of green taxes and policy shifts. The message was clear: climate action must be fair, or it will deepen existing divides.
The mental health of Europe’s youth—already battered by the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the relentless pressures of social media—was another subject that received urgent attention. Boland described the situation as “another chronic problem,” noting that the pandemic forced young people “to do the most unnatural thing possible, namely avoiding socialising. This has left them with a tremendous sense of loneliness.” The solution, in his view, lies in “social and human interaction.” He stressed the importance of involving youth in “social, civic, and sporting organisations” to foster well-being and resilience. “Young people can change the world, but they need support to do so,” Boland asserted.
Pope Leo XIV, for his part, has called for a renewed emphasis on “mental health ministry”—an idea welcomed by the EESC president. Both leaders agreed that addressing youth mental health and fostering civic engagement are essential to healing the scars left by recent crises. The cost of inaction, they warned, would be borne by an entire generation.
The conversation also turned to migration and the plight of refugees—a subject that has often divided European societies. Boland echoed Pope Leo’s advocacy for “kindness toward foreigners,” pledging continued support for “coordinated, humane policies that uphold dignity, inclusion and the rule of law.” The underlying principle was simple but profound: Europe’s response to migration must be rooted in compassion, not fear.
Notably, the rise of artificial intelligence was on the table as well. Both Boland and Pope Leo XIV expressed concern that technological advances must not come “at the expense of workers’ rights.” The EESC president insisted that “humans—not machines—remain in control of decisions that affect people’s lives,” emphasizing that AI should serve as “a tool for empowerment rather than displacement.” The challenge, as they see it, is to harness innovation in ways that lift people up, rather than leave them behind.
Civil society organizations—faith-based groups, charities, community groups, and social partners—were repeatedly cited as essential to building bridges within communities and combating prejudice and discrimination. “Faith-based organizations, charities, community groups, and social partners are the fabric of our societies—knitting together individuals and communities and building bridges,” Boland said, underscoring the shared values of the EESC and the Holy See.
Looking ahead, Boland’s 2025-2028 term as EESC president is set to be defined by these priorities. He has called for a new European anti-poverty strategy that recognizes exclusion as an emergency, not a background issue. The coming year’s EU Summit on Housing and the push for a European Alliance for Housing are expected to be major milestones. Meanwhile, the ongoing effort to ensure a just ecological transition and to support youth mental health will require sustained advocacy and innovation.
At the heart of the Vatican meeting was a simple, urgent message: Europe faces complex, interwoven crises, but the path forward is clear. “If Europe chooses compassion, dignity, and inclusion, we will not only reduce poverty—we will renew hope, strengthen democracy, and build a fairer and better Europe for everyone,” Boland concluded. It’s a vision that, if realized, could reshape the continent’s future for generations to come.
