On 21 May 2021, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, travelled to Rome, Italy, where she co-chaired the Global Health Summit with Mario Draghi, Italian Prime Minister. The event was organized by the Italian G20 Presidency in partnership with the European Commission. Leaders of the G20 adopted the “Rome Declaration”, committing to common principles to overcome COVID-19 and to prevent and prepare for future pandemics. On the same day, Ursula von der Leyen was awarded by La Nuova Europa association with ”La Chiave d’Europa”. The Prize is awarded to personalities who have particularly distinguished themselves during the year for the dissemination of European solidarity values. Ursula von der Leyen also met with Carola Pessina and Vittoria Oliveri, two young girls who filmed themselves playing tennis across their rooftop terrace when the pandemic made it impossible to play on a court.

On 22 May 2021, Ursula von der Leyen, went to the Holy See/Vatican City State, where she had an audience with with Pope Francis.