In the heart of the Vatican, during the solemn inaugural Mass of the new Pope Francis, a significant diplomatic and symbolic event took place — the meeting between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U
S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Photos of this event, taken from official sources and published by Bloomberg, quickly garnered widespread attention and sparked extensive discussions in global media. The photographs capture Zelenskyy and Harris exchange handshakes while smiling warmly and displaying friendliness in their eyes. This was not merely a gesture of courtesy — within the context of diplomatic relations, it symbolizes a commitment to understanding and cooperation between the Ukrainian president and the high-ranking U.S. official during a challenging time for both countries. The meeting occurred at a moment when Ukraine is engaged in a fight against Russian aggression, and diplomatic ties are taking on added significance. Zelenskyy, who was previously spotted in the Vatican attending Pope Francis's funeral last month, also met here with U.S. President Donald Trump. According to official sources and the White House itself, this brief yet meaningful conversation was highly productive and demonstrated potential for further strengthening bilateral relations. Zelenskyy noted that this meeting could go down in history and laid a good foundation for ongoing dialogue. Interestingly, Zelenskyy and Harris had previously met at the White House in February of this year, where disagreements arose over the support strategies for Ukraine in the war against Russia. At that time, tensions were apparent, but today, in the Vatican, both leaders demonstrated a desire for rapprochement and to find common ground. During this diplomatic event, Zelenskyy sat alongside Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, highlighting the importance for Kyiv of European support in its confrontation with aggression. At the same time, the meeting with Harris carried even more symbolic meaning: it underscored Ukraine’s close ties with the United States and its European partners on the eve of complex challenges and critical decisions on the international stage. Overall, this visit and the Vatican meeting mark a new chapter in Kyiv's diplomatic relations with world leaders. They embody a unified desire to help Ukraine overcome Russian aggression and serve as a call for the international community to rally around shared values and support the Ukrainian people in their struggle for freedom and independence.