The Pope calls for peace and unity with services that attract high-ranking officials from around the world.
After his first Mass at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV met Ukrainian President Voldimia Zelenkie school, where he conveyed a message of love and unity to a crowd of 200,000 pilgrims.
“We thank the Vatican for its willingness to serve as a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. We are ready to talk in all forms for concrete outcomes. We appreciate the support of Ukraine and the clear voice in the defense of just and lasting peace.”
No statement has been issued by the Vatican regarding the Sunday meeting.
Formerly Cardinal Robert Prebust, Leo was officially established as head of the Catholic Church at an outdoor mass at St. Peters Square, attended by world leaders and European royals.
In his sermon, Leo, the first American pope, called for unity within the church, saying that he wanted it to act as a force for world peace.
“We hope that our first great desire is a sign of a united church, unity and communion.
“In this age, we still see too many discrepancies. There are too many scars caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of differences, the economic paradigms that exploit the resources of the planet and alienate the poorest.”
Leo said he assumed that he would “with fear and tremble” as the world’s leader of 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, and that he insisted that he would not lead him like a “dictator.”
“It’s never a matter of forcing others, by religious propaganda, or by power. Instead, it’s always a matter of love, as Jesus did,” he said.
“A rich heritage of Christian faith”
Born in Chicago and spent many years as a missionary in Peru, the 69-year-old Pope takes over the late Pope Francis, whose tenure with traditionalists within the church was marked by 12 years of tenure. In a clear nod to the conservatives, Leo said he was committed to protecting the “rich legacy of Christian faith,” and repeatedly used the words “uniform” and “harmony.”
Before the ceremony, Leo was first riding St. Peter’s Square on a popemovie, waving to the crowd cheering for “Vivile Daddy.”
High officials present included the presidents of Israel, Peru and Nigeria. Prime Ministers of Italy, Canada and Australia. German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz. King Felipe and Queen Leticia of Spain.
The US delegation was led by Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic who clashed with Francis over the White House’s immigration approach. Vance worked with Zelenskyy at the start of the ceremony in a fiery encounter in front of global media at the White House in February, in contrast to the previous meeting between the two men and President Donald Trump.
Leo prayed in a sermon for the victims of the Ukraine-Gaza conflict, saying that Ukraine is a “marist” and lamented that the Palestinians were “reduced to starvation.”
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