Ukraine’s Zelensky will attend Pope Leo’s inaugural mass, Vatican says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Pope Leo XIV conducting mass in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on May 9.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
VATICAN CITY – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the inaugural mass of newly elected Pope Leo on May 18, along with many other world leaders, the Vatican said.
The mass in St Peter’s Square will formally install Pope Leo, who was born in Chicago but lived for many years in Peru, as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.
US Vice-President J.D. Vance, who clashed fiercely with Mr Zelensky in the White House
Mr Zelensky would be happy to meet other leaders on the sidelines of the inauguration, a top aide told Reuters this week. When he went to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, Mr Zelensky held face-to-face talks
Mr Rubio said he would discuss on May 17 efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who served as the late Pope Francis’ envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In remarks to reporters ahead of the meeting, the top US diplomat suggested the Vatican could be a venue to facilitate 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,” Mr Rubio told reporters.
Among other leaders expected on May 18 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 Layen.
Many European royals will also be present, including Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
Russia will be represented by Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, the Vatican said. REUTERS
An aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would be happy to meet other leaders on the sidelines of Pope Leo’s inauguration.
PHOTO: REUTERS
