Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky and US vice president JD Vance were seen shaking hands at the inauguration of new Pope Leo XIV on Sunday. It was the first meeting of the pair following the infamous White House clash earlier this year, which saw President Zelensky leaving after a shouting match with Donald Trump and Mr Vance. The pair smiled as they shook hands in the brief exchange. Mr Zelensky later met with Mr Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the mass, a source in the Ukrainian delegation told Reuters. Both Mr Vance and Mr Rubio are Catholics, though the former clashed with the late Pope Francis over the Trump administration's hard-line immigration policies.
US Vice-President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met for the first time since their White House spat, smiling and shaking hands at the Vatican on Sunday as the Holy See celebrated the enthronement of Pope Leo. For the second time in weeks, world leaders and other dignitaries descended on Rome – this time to celebrate the first mass of Pope Leo XIV, who was chosen as pontiff this month. Delegations from more than 100 countries are on hand at the Vatican. Zelensky was greeted by some applause as he arrived in St Peter’s Square, and Leo took a Popemobile tour through the piazza.
Volodymyr Zelensky and JD Vance are holding their first official meeting since their fiery Oval Office row. The Ukrainian president and US vice-president are both in the Vatican for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass, with the pair meeting briefly to shake hands before the service. The Pope also met Mr Zelensky earlier and told crowds that a “martyred Ukraine” would be granted peace. A spokesperson for Mr Vance said he was meeting Mr Zelensky in the US ambassador’s residence.
