Media: Pope Leo XIV to meet Zelenskyy at Vatican on May 18

On Sunday, May 18, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy is expected to meet with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, according to a report by the German newspaper Bild.

The publication refers to recent statements made by Pope Leo XIV, who expressed his willingness to act as a mediator to help bring an end to ongoing conflicts around the world.

“The Holy See is ready to meet enemies and look each other in the eye so that people can receive the dignity they deserve,” the Pope said. Bild writes that, based on this stance, Leo XIV plans to meet with President Zelenskyy on Sunday, although it does not specify the source of this information.

Earlier in the week, Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, told Reuters that Zelenskyy intends to attend the pontiff’s inaugural Mass on Sunday, provided the military situation in Ukraine allows it. Yermak noted that Zelenskyy might hold meetings with other global leaders attending the event but did not confirm any direct bilateral meeting with the Pope.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reported that President Zelenskyy had a warm and substantive phone conversation with Pope Leo XIV recently. They discussed urgent humanitarian issues, including Ukrainian prisoners of war and abducted children, with hopes that the Vatican could help facilitate their return. Zelenskyy also extended an invitation to the Pope for an apostolic visit to Ukraine. The pontiff appeared receptive, though no definite timing was agreed upon.

Pope Leo XIV, born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, became the first American-born pope after being elected on May 8 by 133 cardinal electors during the conclave in the Sistine Chapel. He succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.

By Tamilla Hasanova