Pope Leo XIV’s First Private Audience Highlights Ukrainian Peace Hopes
Vatican City witnessed a significant moment as Pope Leo XIV held his first private audience as Catholic leader with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. This meeting came shortly after the pope’s inauguration mass, reflecting the deep hopes for peace in Ukraine. The exact four word keyphrase, “Pope Leo XIV meets Ukrainian,” captures the essence of this historic encounter.
During the inauguration, Zelenskiy was present alongside other dignitaries, including US Vice President JD Vance. The event drew an estimated 200,000 attendees to St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s mission as the first American pope leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Private Audience and Gift Exchange
After the mass, Pope Leo XIV met with President Zelenskiy and his wife in a private audience. In a video released by the Vatican, the pope warmly greeted Zelenskiy, saying, “Nice to see you again.” He also apologized for the brief wait before their meeting. The exchange of gifts followed, a customary gesture during such audiences.
The pope’s schedule on Sunday included only two private meetings, the other being with President Dina Boluarte of Peru. Notably, Pope Leo XIV has a personal connection to Peru, having served as a missionary there for two decades and holding citizenship in the country.
Calls for Peace and Reconciliation
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the Church’s role as a “leaven for a reconciled world,” urging peace and understanding across nations. He poignantly mentioned Ukraine, calling it a “martyred Ukraine” yearning for just and lasting peace through negotiations.
Responding to the pope’s remarks, President Zelenskiy expressed gratitude on social media for the special words about the need for peace and the attention given to Ukraine’s plight. He congratulated the pope on embarking on his mission and hoped that prayers for justice and dignity for all people would be heard.
Context of Ongoing Conflicts
The late Pope Francis had also engaged with Ukraine’s crisis, meeting with Zelenskiy several times and advocating for peace. However, some Ukrainians criticized him for not explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion and urging Ukraine to surrender. Recently, Moscow and Kyiv resumed direct talks after more than three years but failed to reach a truce.
During the Regina Coeli prayer at the mass’s conclusion, Pope Leo XIV extended his concern to other global conflicts. He highlighted the suffering in Gaza where children and families face hunger, and in Myanmar where fresh hostilities have shattered innocent lives.
These remarks underscore the pope’s commitment to global peace and humanitarian issues as he begins his papacy.
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