President Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV and top U.S. officials to push for peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the inauguration Mass and later met privately with Pope Leo XIV. Following their audience, Zelenskyy thanked the Pope for his support and expressed appreciation for the Vatican’s willingness to host potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Zelenskyy's posts on social media.
“For millions, the Pope is a symbol of hope for peace,” Zelenskyy said. “The voice and moral authority of the Holy See can play a vital role in ending this war. We are open to dialogue in any format that leads to real progress.”
In his inaugural address Pope Leo XIV made a poignant reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine, urging the international community to seek a just and enduring peace. Speaking to tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his enthronement Mass, the pontiff echoed the words of his predecessor, Pope Francis, describing Ukraine as “suffering” and “exhausted.”
“We cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are enduring the horrors of war,” the Pope said. “Too many young lives have been lost in Ukraine. The world longs for negotiations and a fair, lasting peace.”
President Zelenskyy also held a separate meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both of whom were present at the inauguration. Zelenskyy described the discussion as “good,” noting that the leaders exchanged views on several pressing issues, including the ongoing war with Russia, the importance of further sanctions against Russia, U.S.-Ukraine bilateral trade, defense cooperation, and future prisoner exchanges.
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to “genuine diplomacy” and emphasized the need for a “swift, full, and unconditional ceasefire,” calling on the international community to maintain pressure on Moscow until it demonstrates readiness to halt its aggression.
This marks the first public meeting between the Ukrainian president and Vice President Vance since their February 28 tense exchange in Washington.
The Rome talks underscore a renewed transatlantic focus on securing peace in Ukraine and sustaining military and diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin.