Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intends to attend the enthronement ceremony of newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican this Sunday, provided that his wartime obligations allow, a senior presidential adviser told Reuters.
In a phone interview from Kyiv, Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak stated that the President would be open to holding discussions with other world leaders on the sidelines of the papal ceremony.
According to Yermak, Pope Leo XIV assured President Zelensky during a phone call on Monday that he would be willing to help facilitate such meetings and pledged to “do everything he can” to support efforts for a just and lasting peace.
“He [Zelensky] plans to attend, but as you know, we have some other very important meetings before then,” Yermak said, referring to the potential peace talks scheduled to take place in Turkey later this week.
“Of course, during wartime, it’s hard to be certain, but I know he would be very glad to be in Rome on that day,” he added.
Zelensky previously met U.S. President Donald Trump at St. Peter’s Basilica during the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26. The two leaders discussed air defense systems and sanctions against Russia.
“It’s an excellent place for such meetings. The encounter with President Trump confirmed that,” Yermak noted.
The U.S. has yet to announce who will officially represent the Trump administration at Sunday’s enthronement.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
