Zelenskyy to attend inaugural Mass for Pope Leo at Vatican
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Tomorrow, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will attend the inaugural Mass of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Other world leaders will also be present, Reuters reports.
This week, a source from the media outlet stated that Zelenskyy would be glad to meet with other leaders on the sidelines of the inauguration. As for the overall visit of the President of Ukraine, this information has been confirmed by the Vatican.
Further, Reuters writes that the United States will be represented by Vice President JD Vance. The US delegation will also include Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
By the way, Rubio said that on Saturday, he would discuss efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who was the envoy of the late Pope Francis regarding the Russian war against Ukraine. In his statement ahead of the meeting, the top US diplomat suggested that the Vatican could become a platform for facilitating dialogue.
"I wouldn't call it a broker, but it certainly is a place that I would think that both sides would be comfortable coming," Rubio told reporters.
Among other leaders expected on Sunday are the Presidents of Israel, Peru, and Nigeria, the Prime Ministers of Italy, Canada, and Australia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen. Many European royals will also be present, including Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
The Vatican also announced that Russia will be represented by Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova.
The inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV will take place on May 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local time in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
Possible Ukraine-Russia talks in Vatican
Recently, Politico quoted Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's chief diplomat, who stated that Pope Leo XIV plans to propose the Vatican as a venue for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Moreover, Zelenskyy recently shared that the newly elected Pope had expressed his readiness to take on the role of mediator in peace negotiations between the warring countries.
"I am grateful to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his wise words about the Holy See's willingness to take on the role of mediator in restoring peace around the world. Peace is the dearest wish of millions of our people," the President of Ukraine responded.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine hopes for the restoration of a just peace and is making every effort to achieve it.
