World leaders attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV's inauguration ceremony was attended by many world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US Vice President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio...

In addition, the ceremony was attended by other representatives from Peru, Israel, Italy, Canada, Germany, Poland, the European Union (EU)... and members of European royal families, according to Reuters news agency.

Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, elegant in royal attire, look for their seats in the guest area - Photo: AFP

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (wearing glasses, middle) enters the guest seating area - Photo: AFP

Italian President Sergio Matarella and First Lady Laura Matarella greet other world dignitaries in the guest seats at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV - Photo: AFP

US Vice President JD Vance (right) and Second Lady Usha Vance - Photo: AFP

European Commission (EC) President Ursula Von der Leyen (center) enters St. Peter's Square - Photo: AFP

King Philippe of Belgium (second from right) and Queen Philippe of Belgium (middle) enter St. Peter's Square - Photo: AFP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (center) shakes hands with bishops - Photo: REUTERS

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sits with senior officials in St. Peter's Square - Photo: REUTERS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds hands with First Lady Elena as they enter St. Peter's Square - Photo: AFP

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte (center) was also present at St. Peter's Square. The new Pope Leo XIV served in Peru for many years and has acquired Peruvian citizenship - Photo: AFP

Iranian Ambassador to the Vatican Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari (left) and Iranian Culture Minister Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV - Photo: AFP

Ms. Meloni gives President Zelensky a hug in St. Peter's Square - Photo: REUTERS

Polish President Andrzej Duda (far right) was also present at the event - Photo: AFP

The May 18 Mass featured prayers in several languages, honoring the global reach of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church. Major languages ​​included Latin, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Polish and Chinese.

ANSA news agency quoted Mr. Lamberto Giannini, representative of Rome's security forces, on May 15 as saying that the city mobilized more than 5,000 police officers to ensure security for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on May 18.

Vatican could be a catalyst for peace in Ukraine

According to NBC News, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared, many bishops stood up to welcome him.

Also according to NBC, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi - the Pope's special envoy for peace missions in Ukraine - on May 17, one day before the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.

The meeting focused on efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine. Secretary Rubio thanked the Holy See for its willingness to participate in the peace effort, and suggested that the Vatican could be a potential venue for talks between Russia and Ukraine, as "it's certainly a place where both sides would feel comfortable going."

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dong-dao-lanh-dao-the-gioi-du-le-nham-chuc-cua-giao-hoang-leo-xiv-20250518152940343.htm