Pope to meet the Zensky of Ukraine after the inauguration mass

Pope Leo XIV will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zensky, the Vatican said after his inauguration mass.

The new Catholic leader emphasized his concern about the war in Ukraine in his prayer at the end of the service and said: “The tortured Ukraine awaits negotiations for a just and lasting peace to finally happen”.

The pope spoke with a crowd of thousands on the Peter’s Square to warn against the marginalization of poor and autocracy.

Zensky, American vice -president JD Vance and the American State Secretary Marco Rubio were among the dignitaries.

The pope was seen with shaking hands with Zensky, as well as other dignitaries.

He used his masses to criticize “hatred, violence, prejudices, the fear of difference and an economic paradigm that operates the resources of the earth and marginalizes the poorest”.

He also said he would try to rule “without ever surrendering to the temptation to be an autocrat.”

Thousands of pilgrims were in response when the pope received the symbols from the office, people blessed and a strong call for unity.

Before Mass there was cheers of the crowd when the pope appeared in his popemobile when he rode around St. Peter’s square and via Della Conciliazione to the river Tiber and back.

There was a strong sense of excitement on the square. Michelle, from Germany, told the BBC that she “came on intentionally to see the Pope”.

“I arrived yesterday in the morning and I leave in a few hours, so I don’t have much time. It is very strange because there are so many people. I wanted to see the pope.”

Many of the tens of thousands of those present were Catholics, but tourists were also part of the historical occasion.

Joe from Missouri in the United States said: “We are on vacation, but it is a great timing. We are here to see the inaugural mass of the pope. It’s very special. I am happy that we came early.”

He said he was “extra proud” to see the first pope from the United States. “That was a surprise. He will be a beautiful pope. I am not a Catholic, but I grew up with Catholic, but this is just inspiring, regardless of what the denomination of Christian you are.”

Also in the crowd, from Chile, was a professor in philosophy at a Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. She told the BBC that she felt that there was “a new hope in the church”.

Pia said that under the first words of the pope when he was chosen, “being peace with you”, the words of Jesus was. And then he said “don’t be afraid”.

“He knows what the world and the church need. A church that preaches hope, preaches peace. I think many people are waiting for that,” she said.

The official inauguration of the pope followed the masses, with a pallium clothing – a white woolen band – placed on the pope’s shoulders and attached in place with three pins to display the nails to the cross.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines then placed the pope’s ring on the finger of the fisherman, a symbol of the papacy that wears an image of St. Peter.

Pope Leo then took the book of the gospels to bless people.