Global Leaders Unite for Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Blessing

Dignitaries from around the world attend an inaugural mass, fostering global dialogue on pressing issues.

In a historic gathering at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, notable global leaders, including kings, presidents, and prime ministers, came together to attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass, signifying the commencement of his pontificate. The newly appointed pope, who leads 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, has already made waves within the international community.

United States Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, extended congratulations to the pope and acknowledged his American roots. However, earlier comments made by a social media account associated with the pope raised questions about Vance's stance on Catholic doctrine, leaving the future relationship between them somewhat uncertain.

In a significant diplomatic move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a warm conversation with Pope Leo just prior to the mass, the first known interaction between the new pontiff and a foreign leader. Zelensky shared that their dialogue included discussions on cease-fire proposals amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with the pope offering to host an important peace summit at the Vatican.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with His Holiness to foster a world steered by solidarity and sustainability, following his absence from Pope Francis’ funeral due to national election duties.

From Peru, President Dina Boluarte led an official delegation, celebrating the pope’s strong connections to the country. She acknowledged the lasting impact of Leo’s commitment to serving the underprivileged in Peru.

Italy was represented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, with Meloni praising Leo’s spiritual legacy as aligned with that of his predecessor, Pope Francis. She reiterated Italy's support for the Vatican’s peace initiatives and articulated a commitment to ethical development in artificial intelligence during a recent phone call with the pontiff.

Other prominent leaders present included Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, among many others, illustrating a collective desire for dialogue and collaboration on global challenges.

Yan Zhuang is a Times reporter in Seoul, focusing on breaking news.