Pope Leo XIV has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following his inauguration Mass.
Posting on Telegram after the assembly, Zelensky thanked the brand new Catholic chief for his “assist for Ukraine” and “clear voice in defence of a simply and lasting peace”.
Addressing 1000’s in St Peter’s Sq., the Pope used his inaugural mass to focus on issues in regards to the conflict in Ukraine, additionally warning towards marginalisation of the poor and autocracy.
Zelensky, US Vice President JD Vance and the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been amongst dignitaries in attendance.
The pontiff was pictured shaking arms with the Ukrainian chief, who additionally thanked the Vatican for “its readiness to develop into a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.”
Final week, Pope Leo provided the Vatican as a venue for attainable peace talks after Russian President Vladimir Putin turned down Zelensky’s provide to satisfy face-to-face in Turkey for negotiations.
The Pope used his Mass to criticise “hatred, violence, prejudice, the concern of distinction, and an financial paradigm that exploits the Earth’s sources and marginalises the poorest”.
He additionally mentioned he would search to manipulate “with out ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat”.
1000’s of pilgrims stood in reverence because the pope obtained the symbols of workplace, blessed the individuals and issued a powerful name for unity.
Earlier than the Mass, there have been cheers from the gang when the pontiff appeared in his popemobile because it drove round St Peter’s Sq. and down By way of della Conciliazione to the river Tiber and again.
There was a powerful sense of pleasure within the sq.. Michelle, from Germany, advised the BBC she “got here on function to see the Pope”.
“I arrived yesterday within the morning and I am leaving in just a few hours, so I haven’t got a lot time. It’s totally loopy as a result of there’s so many individuals. I wished to see the Pope.”
Lots of the tens of 1000’s attending had been Catholics, however vacationers additionally got here to be a part of the historic event.
Joe from Missouri in the US mentioned: “We’re on trip, nevertheless it’s nice timing. We’re right here to see the Pope’s inaugural mass. It’s totally particular. I am glad we got here early.”
He mentioned he was “additional proud” to see the primary Pope from the US. “That was a shock. He is gonna be an exquisite Pope. I’m not Catholic, however I grew up Catholic, however that is simply inspiring it doesn’t matter what denomination of Christian you’re.”
Additionally within the crowds was Pia, from Chile, a professor of philosophy at a the Pontifical College of the Holy Cross in Rome. She advised the BBC she felt there was “a brand new hope within the church”.
Pia mentioned that among the many Pope’s first phrases when he was elected was “Let the peace be with you”, the phrases of Jesus. After which he mentioned “do not be afraid”.
“He is aware of what the world and the church wants. A church that’s preaching hope, preaching peace. I believe many individuals are ready for that,” she mentioned.
The Pope’s official inauguration adopted the Mass, with a pallium garment – a white woolen band – positioned on the pope’s shoulders, and stuck in place with three pins to symbolize the nails on the cross.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines then positioned on the pope’s finger the Ring of the Fisherman, a logo of the papacy which bears a picture of St Peter.
Pope Leo then took the guide of the gospels to bless the individuals.
