Archbishop Leo offered the "prayers and affection" of everyone in the Archdiocese when he met Pope Leo XIV in Rome this week.

The happy encounter took place at St Peter's Basilica on Tuesday after a Mass for digital missionaries and Catholic influencers.

He said: "It was a great honour to meet the Holy Father.

"He thanked me for the affection and prayers of the Catholics of the Archdiocese, and especially our young people who are on pilgrimage with me to Rome in this Jubilee Year."

Archbishop Leo chats with Pope Leo after Holy Mass in St Peter's (@Vatican Media).

Archbishop Cushley is currently leading a Jubilee Year pilgrimage in the city for young adults, along with Fr Robert Taylor of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Archbishop Leo and Fr Robert Taylor (left) with young adult pilgrims from the Archdiocese.

St Peter’s Basilica was filled with young people from across the world for the Mass as part of the Jubilee for Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers.

Around 1,400 pilgrims attended Mass for the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries/Catholic Influencers (@Vatican Media).

At the end of the Mass, Pope Leo urged digital missionaries to create encounters among hearts.

Archbishop Leo said: "He urged Christians, especially young ones, to promote honesty and reality in our online presence, based on Christian Humanism.

"This is already becoming a strong theme in his speeches.  

Archbishop Leo and Fr Robert Taylor with pilgrims outside the Pantheon.

"When I had a chance to speak to him afterwards, I thanked him and assured him of the affection and prayers of the young Catholics of Scotland in Rome these days.

"With everyone he was kind, attentive and in no rush. It was also the first time I’ve spoken to a pope in my own language, a nice feeling!"

Read more about the Mass for digital influencers here. Interested in evangelising online? Visit the Effective Parish Communications playlist on our YouTube channel.