Zelenskiy hopes to attend Pope Leo's inaugural Mass

14/5/2025 6:20

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy plans to attend the inaugural Mass of newly elected Pope Leo at the Vatican on Sunday, war commitments permitting, a top presidential aide told Reuters on Tuesday.



In a telephone interview from Kyiv, Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said the Ukrainian president would be willing to hold talks with any other world leaders on the sidelines of the inauguration.



He added that the new pontiff had told Zelenskiy in a telephone call on Monday that he was ready to facilitate such meetings and had promised to "do his best" to help bring about a just and lasting peace.



Leo, who was elected in a conclave that ended last Thursday, will be officially installed as the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics at a

Mass in St. Peter's Square on Sunday. A number of world leaders are expected to attend.