Pope Leo XIV will hold his first private audience today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the liturgy for his inauguration, the Vatican announced.

“Martyred Ukraine is waiting for negotiations for a just and lasting peace to finally take place,” the pontiff said before the meeting. Zelensky was among politicians, members of royal families, and religious leaders from around the world who attended the inauguration liturgy of Leo XIV.

In St. Peter's Square, the Ukrainian leader shook hands with US Vice President Jay Chao. In his Regina Coeli prayer at the end of the liturgy, Pope Francis also noted that “in Gaza, children, families, and elderly survivors have been brought to starvation.” He also recalled how “in Myanmar, new military actions have destroyed innocent young lives.” | BGNES