US Vice-President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met for the first time since their White House spat, smiling and shaking hands at the Vatican on Sunday as the Holy See celebrated the enthronement of Pope Leo.
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For the second time in weeks, world leaders and other dignitaries descended on Rome – this time to celebrate the first mass of Pope Leo XIV, who was chosen as pontiff this month.
Delegations from more than 100 countries are on hand at the Vatican. Zelensky was greeted by some applause as he arrived in St Peter’s Square, and Leo took a Popemobile tour through the piazza.
Zelensky was seated next to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with Vance close by. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni been pushing for a meeting between the Brussels-based leader and the US administration as a trade war looms, and their proximity on Sunday may help pave the way.
As the first US-born pontiff, Leo’s so far focused his message on achieving peace in Ukraine and Gaza, signalling that he might continue – or expand – the geopolitical engagement of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
President Donald Trump, Zelensky and Vance last met at the White House in February, when they clashed over the future of peace in Ukraine in a televised meeting described as one of the worst diplomatic incidents in recent history.