Pope Leo XIV to Meet Zelensky After Inaugural Mass, Calls for Peace in Ukraine and Gaza

In a significant diplomatic development, the Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will hold his first private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, held on Sunday.

This meeting comes amid global expectations for renewed efforts toward peace, particularly in war-torn Ukraine. The Pope, speaking just before the scheduled talks, emphasized the urgency of ending hostilities and referred to Ukraine as the "martyred nation" longing for a "just and lasting peace."

Sunday’s Mass marked the formal beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. The event drew royalty, politicians, and religious leaders from around the world, including President Zelensky, whose presence signaled the significance of the Vatican’s role in international diplomacy.

In his Regina Coeli prayer following the Mass, Pope Leo XIV offered a solemn reflection on ongoing humanitarian crises around the globe.

“Ukraine waits for peace. In Gaza, children and the elderly starve. In Myanmar, innocent young lives have been lost,” the pontiff lamented.

His message served as a powerful reminder of the Catholic Church's global moral leadership and its call for compassion, justice, and peace in conflict zones.

Though largely symbolic at this stage, the meeting between Pope Leo XIV and President Zelensky signals a potential path toward faith-based diplomacy. The Vatican has long advocated for dialogue between warring nations, and Sunday’s scheduled meeting may rekindle broader international efforts to mediate peace in Eastern Europe.