President Zelensky Plans to Attend the Inauguration Ceremony of the Pope in Vatican
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will officially witness the solemn inauguration mass of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, May 18. This is an important event not only for the Roman Catholic Church but also for international diplomacy, as world leaders from around the globe have been invited to attend this ceremonial service. According to information disseminated by "European Pravda" and Reuters, citing representatives of the Holy See, Kyiv has already confirmed that a delegation will be present at this significant event. This will be Zelensky's first public appearance at an international religious event following recent diplomatic contacts aimed at seeking peaceful solutions and establishing dialogue with Russia. Moreover, sources report that the Ukrainian president may have a meeting with the new Pope Leo XIV a day earlier, during his time in Vatican. If this meeting takes place, it would serve as a meaningful symbolic step in the diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Vatican. The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has already arrived in Vatican, indicating increased attention from world leaders to the ongoing efforts for integration and dialogue involving the Roman Catholic Church. The background of this event is filled with mutual contacts. On May 12, President Zelensky and Pope Leo XIV held their first phone conversation, during which one of the highest representatives of the Catholic Church called for achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. It is important to note that Zelensky’s participation in the ceremony depends on the progress of diplomatic negotiations with Russia, which are critical for the further development of the situation in the country. Overall, the Ukrainian president's participation in this international religious event will serve not only as a gesture of support for peace and stability in Ukraine but also as an important move in the diplomatic arena—measured not only by political considerations but also by symbolism and faith in dialogue, which could alter the course of modern history.