Standing before the central altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV shook hands with dozens of heads of state and government who had come to Rome to attend the inaugural Mass of his pontificate on May 18, 2025. The new pope greeted Ukrainian President Zelensky and US Vice President J.D. Vance, among many others.
For an hour and 15 minutes, Pope Leo XIV took the time to greet the representatives of the countries attending the opening Mass of his pontificate. Italian President Sergio Mattarella led the long procession of heads of state and government, closely followed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The American-Peruvian pope was then warmly greeted by the president of Peru, Dina Boluarte, and the main civil and military authorities of the Andean country.
On the US side, Vice President J.D. Vance led the delegation.Vance was received by Pope Francis on April 20, the day before the Argentine pontiff's death. The American delegation also included the Pope's oldest brother, Louis. (See video below.)
Volodymyr Zelensky also greeted Pope Leo XIV with his wife. Later in the afternoon, the pontiff granted a private audience to the Ukrainian president.
On Saturday, the Holy Father was able to speak at length with the "family of peoples," when he received the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. There are 184 nations that maintain diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
This morning, at the end of Mass, Leo XIV called for “negotiations for a just and lasting peace” in Ukraine when he offered the Regina Caeli reflection. He also specifically mentioned Gaza and Myanmar.
Several royal heads of state were also present in the long line that stretched through the nave of St. Peter's Basilica, including King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
