Pope Leo XIV received Caroline Vermeulen, Belgium’s new ambassador to the Holy See, at the Vatican Apostolic Palace for the presentation of her credentials. The diplomat arrives in Rome after serving from 2022 to 2026 as Belgium’s ambassador to Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia and as permanent representative to the international organizations based in Vienna.
During her four years in the Austrian capital, Vermeulen took part in the Vienna Pride marches of 2023 and 2026 within the Diplomats for Equality contingent. Her diplomatic activity also included other initiatives related to LGBT advocacy and gender-equality policies, among them a screening of the film Girl during “Pride Month” and her membership in the International Gender Champions network.
Two participations in Vienna Pride
Vermeulen’s participation in the Pride march is documented on at least two occasions during her posting as ambassador to Austria.
In June 2023, the diplomat joined the Diplomats for Equality contingent in Vienna’s 27th Regenbogenparade. The group brought together ambassadors and other accredited diplomatic representatives in Austria in support of LGBT causes.
Vermeulen participated again in 2026, this time in the 30th edition of Vienna Pride, once more alongside the Diplomats for Equality contingent. Contemporary reports explicitly identify her as the ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium.
Her involvement in this area was not limited to the marches. On 17 May 2026, the Belgian representation in Vienna joined a statement issued by Diplomats for Equality Vienna on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), reaffirming the “equality and dignity of LGBTI persons.”
A screening for “Pride Month”
In June 2024, Vermeulen and then-European Union ambassador to the international organizations in Vienna, Carl Hallergård, promoted a screening of the Belgian film Girl as part of the so-called “Pride Month.”
Directed by Lukas Dhont, the film tells the story of a 15-year-old teenager who identifies as a woman and aspires to become a dancer. The event was organized together with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and the international human-rights film festival This Human World.
The official announcement presented the screening as one of the activities held during “Pride Month.”
Member of International Gender Champions
During her posting in Vienna, Vermeulen also joined International Gender Champions, an international network that brings together heads of international organizations, diplomatic missions and other institutions committed to promoting gender equality.
In the profile published by the organization, the Belgian diplomat states: “Diversity, including gender diversity, in a professional environment improves the quality and outcomes of teamwork.”
Among her commitments within the network are initiatives aimed at young women and awareness-raising and prevention actions against violence toward women.
From the Belgian Royal Household to the Holy See
Born on 13 October 1973, Vermeulen is married and has two children, according to the biography released by the Holy See Press Office. She earned a master’s degree in Contemporary History from the Catholic University of Louvain and the Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis in Brussels, followed by a master’s in European Studies at the College of Europe in Bruges.
She entered the diplomatic service in 1997. After assignments in Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Belgium’s Permanent Representation to the European Union, she served as first secretary at the Embassy in Russia from 2002 to 2004.
Between 2004 and 2011 she acted as secretary to Queen Paola of Belgium at the Royal Palace in Brussels. She later headed the Belgian office in Taiwan from 2011 to 2015 and served as deputy head of mission at the Embassy in the People’s Republic of China until 2019.
From 2019 to 2022 she was Director for European External Relations at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her next posting was Vienna, from where she simultaneously served as ambassador to Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia and as permanent representative to the international organizations.
This Thursday she presented her credentials to Leo XIV as Belgium’s new ambassador to the Holy See. The Vatican Press Office reported the audience and published her biographical résumé, without providing details on the content of the conversation between the Pope and the diplomat.