Lithuanian Prime Minister I. Ruginienė recently visited the Vatican and Rome from March 6-8, meeting with Pope Leo XIV and other representatives of the Holy See, accompanied by her family. The Prime Minister stated that the government's chancellery would cover their travel expenses since her family would also be performing state functions during the visit. However, this arrangement has drawn criticism, particularly from former ambassador to the Holy See, Irena Vaišvilaitė, who argues that while it is not uncommon for the families of high-ranking officials to travel together, the Prime Minister's explanations about the necessity of her family's presence seem unjustified.