A Roma delegation from the Czech Republic led by Karel Karika, Chairman of the Czechoslovak Roma Union, today attended a general audience with Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square. Representatives of the Roma community delivered an exceptional message to the Holy Father: They requested the symbolic lifting of the excommunication of Roma from the Catholic Church, which was declared in 1427 and not abrogated to this day!

Pope Leo XIV also signed a Romanes translation of the Bible during a personal meeting with a Roma delegation from the Czech Republic.

• VIDEO: Papež přijal romskou delegaci z Česka. Žádali o zrušení exkomunikace Romů z církve, která trvá od 15. Století. In: Romea. 24.09.2025. https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/video-papez-prijal-romskou-delegaci-z-ceska-zadali-o-zruseni-exkomunikace-romu-z-cirkve-ktera-trva-od-15-stoleti#google_vignette