**Ukraine Hopes to Capitalize on Pope Leo’s Inauguration for Diplomatic Gains**
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planning to attend the inaugural Mass of new Pope Leo at the Vatican on May 18, according to Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. This move comes after Zelenskyy successfully met with US President Donald Trump during Pope Francis’s funeral in April.
Yermak told Reuters that while wartime commitments may affect the Ukrainian president’s schedule, he is confident that Zelenskyy will be able to attend the ceremony. “He is planning to come, but you know that before (Sunday) we have some other very important meetings,” Yermak said. The official mentioned possible peace talks in Turkey this week as a reason for the uncertainty.
The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump during Pope Francis’s funeral was seen as a significant diplomatic breakthrough. Now, Ukraine is hoping to use Pope Leo’s inauguration ceremony as an opportunity to hold discussions with other world leaders on the sidelines of the event. Yermak described this approach as “a great place for such meetings,” citing the successful meeting with Trump as evidence.
Pope Leo, who was elected on May 8, has already spoken with Zelenskyy by telephone and promised to do his best to help achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The new pontiff also expressed a willingness to visit Ukraine, which received a “very, very positive” reaction from Zelenskyy.
**A New Chapter in Ukrainian-Vatican Relations?**
The inauguration of Pope Leo marks the beginning of a new chapter in Ukrainian-Vatican relations. Yermak downplayed tensions that existed between Ukraine and the Vatican during Pope Francis’s papacy, particularly regarding comments that sometimes irritated Ukrainian officials. However, he noted that while there may be some continuity with the policy of Pope Francis, there will also be a new approach under Pope Leo.
The Vatican has been providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and assisting in the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia. Yermak expressed hope that this cooperation would continue under Pope Leo’s papacy. As the world watches the inauguration ceremony at the Vatican, attention will also be on how the new pope navigates complex diplomatic relationships and addresses the challenges facing Ukraine.
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