Pope Leo XIV's Peace Initiative: Zelensky's Mass Visit Sparks Hope for Ukraine-Russia Talks

In an unprecedented show of diplomatic intent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the inaugural Mass led by Pope Leo XIV, who has pledged to facilitate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

On May 18, 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, alongside his wife Olena Zelenska, participated in the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV held at St. Peter’s Square. This significant event follows Pope Leo's expressed commitment to mediate discussions aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict with Russia. The new pope emphasized on Friday his dedication to fostering peace, stating he would strive to offer the Vatican as a neutral ground for potential negotiations.

"The Holy See serves as a welcoming space for dialogue, where adversaries can come together face to face," remarked the pope, with his secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, affirming that the Vatican possesses the necessary environment for peace talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, present at the Mass, echoed the sentiment, declaring the Vatican’s role as a suitable venue, although, intriguingly, no formal communications have emerged from either Ukraine or Russia regarding this offer.

Sunday's Mass marked another visit for Zelensky to the Holy See within a short period. His previous trip was to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, where he had a private meeting with President Trump. This encounter was notable for preceding their recent history of difficult discussions.

While the Mass was a moment for hope, Zelensky remained reticent on social media about potential informal dialogues that may take place in Rome. However, he did mention a series of meetings leading up to the event, including talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, focused on amplifying international pressure on Russia.

Pope Leo's election has invigorated hopes for peace, particularly after the late Pope Francis’s continuous appeals for resolution in Ukraine. Last week, the newly minted pontiff vocally called for an "authentic, just and lasting peace” and insisted on the return of all prisoners of war to their families, alluding to the crisis involving displaced Ukrainian children taken to Russia amid hostilities.

In recent days, diplomatic momentum has appeared to be building, highlighted by direct talks in Turkey on the previous Friday, where representatives from both Ukraine and Russia engaged in dialogue leading to a preliminary agreement on prisoner exchanges.

Matthew Mpoke Bigg, a reporter based in London for the Live team at The Times, continues to cover the evolving situation in Ukraine and its complex international implications.