Skip next section Ukraine ‘ready for talks’, Zelenskyy says after Pope meeting
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Ukraine ‘ready for talks’, Zelenskyy says after Pope meeting
Ukrainian President has met with Pope after the pontiff’s inaugural Mass at the Vatican.
During their meeting, the Ukrainian leader told the new pope that his government is “ready for dialogue in any format” in order to achieve “tangible results” in peace negotiations with Russia.
, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to accept.
In a post on X, the Ukrainian leader thanked the Pontiff for the Vatican’s “willingness to serve as a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.”
“We appreciate the support for Ukraine and the clear voice in defense of a just and lasting peace,” he said.
Zelenskyy added that the Holy See’s “authority and voice” could be crucial in bringing to an end.
The Pope, he added, is “a symbol of hope for peace” for “millions of people around the world.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4uYL2
Skip next section Zelenskyy, Vance discuss Putin-Trump call in brief meeting05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Zelenskyy, Vance discuss Putin-Trump call in brief meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance discussed the between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy and Vance’s brief meeting lasted 30 minutes, a senior Ukrainian official said.
Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, the officials said Zelenskyy and Vance had discussed “the situation on the front” as well as preparations for the highly anticipated conversation between the US and Russian presidents on Monday.
Trump said last week that there would be no progress on peace talks between Ukraine and Russia until he sits down with Putin.
Vance and Zelenskyy also discussed the possibility of imposing sanctions on Moscow unless a ceasefire which leads to a peace deal is agreed.
European nations have threatened to impose heavy sanctions on Russia to pressure it into agreeing to a truce and ending the war.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uYIG
Skip next section Zelenskyy meets US Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Zelenskyy meets US Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio
On the sidelines of the pope’s inauguration, Ukrainian President met US Vice President and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, news agencies reported, citing unnamed sources.
“Vice President Vance is now meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” at the US ambassador’s residence, the French AFP news agency quoted a Vance spokesperson as saying.
The meeting was the first since a between Zelenskyy on one side and Vance and US President Donald Trump on the other side at the Oval Office in February.
Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV later.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uYEM
Skip next section Pope to hold audience with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy on Sunday
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Pope to hold audience with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy on Sunday
will hold a private meeting with Ukrainian President on Sunday afternoon, the Vatican has said.
Zelenskyy attended the pope’s inaugural Mass on Sunday morning with his wife, Olena.
Speaking moments after the Mass ended, Leo mentioned the “martyred” Ukraine and called for a “just and lasting peace.”
He recently offered the Vatican as a possible venue for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which launched an in February 2022.
The pope is also expected to meet with US Vice President JD Vance on Monday.
Vance, a converted Catholic, was one of the last people to meet with the late Pope Francis, with whom he clashed over the hardline immigration policies of the Trump administration.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uXkM
Skip next section Pope’s homily criticizes economic system exploiting nature, poor
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Pope’s homily criticizes economic system exploiting nature, poor
In a homily held at his inauguration Mass, set out priorities recalling those of his predecessor, , while calling for unity within his church at a time of threatened divisions in the US and beyond.
“I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world,” he said.
“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest,” Leo added.
He said he would seek to govern “without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4uXaW
Skip next section Numerous world leaders in attendance at papal inauguration
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Numerous world leaders in attendance at papal inauguration
Leaders from several countries are present at the Mass.
Among them is Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena, are also in attendance.
US Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, are in the US delegation.
Other guests at the Mass include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spain’s King Felipe with his wife, Queen Letizia.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uXZX
Skip next section What happens at an Inauguration Mass?
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
What happens at an Inauguration Mass?
Sunday’s Mass to inaugurate the new pope will include prayers, music, readings from the New Testament, a homily and Communion, all in the usual order.
A significant moment will occur just before the homily, when cardinals will give Leo the pallium — a stolelike vestment of wool symbolizing the pope’s role as shepherd of the faithful — and the fisherman’s ring, showing St. Peter casting a net in reference to a passage in the Gospels.
In the passage, Jesus is said to have referred to wanting to make his apostle Peter a “fisher of men.”
After the pope receives these two insignia, a delegation representing different roles in the church, which includes a married couple, will greet Leo XIV in the “rite of obedience.”
This symbolizes the church turning to the new pope for guidance.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uXSk
Skip next section Pope Leo prays at tomb of St. Peter before Mass begins
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Pope Leo prays at tomb of St. Peter before Mass begins
Pope Leo XIV has prayed before the tomb of St. Peter, considered to be the first pontiff, in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The prayer is one of the major rites before the inauguration Mass, which has gotten underway.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uXQY
Skip next section Pope Leo rides popemobile for the first time05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Pope Leo rides popemobile for the first time
Pope Leo XIV has taken his first public ride in his popemobile, making a tour of St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican while smiling and waving to the crowds who have gathered for his inauguration Mass.
Many in the crowd waved flags and called out “Viva il Papa!” as Leo, 69, passed by, standing in the white open-back truck.
The vehicle, protected by several security guards who jogged alongside, mostly moved quickly, but made two brief stops to allow Leo to bless three babies.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uXC1
Skip next section World leaders, royalty at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
World leaders, royalty at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass
A host of international leaders are expected to be present at the at the Vatican on Sunday, the Holy See said on Saturday.
Representatives from Italy, Peru and the United States will have front-row seats in the VIP gallery, as Pope Leo XIV has dual citizenship in the US and Peru.
The US delegation will be led by Vice President , accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte will also be in attendance, while Italy will be represented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
is also among more than 150 international delegations registered to attend, along with .
Other world leaders expected at the Mass in St. Peter’s Square include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Argentina’s Javier Milei, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Colombia’s Gustavo Petro.
Among the European royalty in attendance will be Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
The event is expected to include several bilateral meetings between visiting dignitaries.
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said efforts are underway to arrange a private audience
https://p.dw.com/p/4uX4F
Skip next section Pope Leo XIV to be inaugurated at Vatican Mass
05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Pope Leo XIV to be inaugurated at Vatican Mass
will officially begin his papacy on Sunday with a ceremonial Mass on St. Peter’s Square.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend, including world leaders.
The Mass, which begins at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT), will follow Pope Leo XIV’s first public ride in the popemobile at 9:00 a.m.
During the Mass, Pope Leo will receive the two symbols of the papacy: the lambswool stole, known as a pallium, and the fisherman’s ring.
The 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago, is the first pope from the United States, elected on May 8 after a brief conclave.
He succeeds , who died on April 21 .
In recent remarks, Pope Leo XIV has called for
There is tight security in place across Rome for the event, including rooftop snipers and anti-drone units.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uX27
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage05/18/2025May 18, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
will officially assume his role as leader of the Catholic Church on Sunday during a ceremonial Mass in St. Peter’s Square.
Tens of thousands of well-wishers, as well as world leaders and members of European royalty, are expected to be in attendance.
DW will bring you the latest news, analysis and insights from our reporters and correspondents regarding the inauguration of the new pope. Stay tuned for more.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uX1S
The post Newly inaugurated Pope Leo talks Ukraine with Zelenskyy appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
