18 May 2025, 18:05
Zelenskyy meets with the pope.
Picture:
Alamy
Ukraine has accused Russia of launching its biggest drone attack since the Kremlin began its full-scale invasion in 2022, just hours after President Zelenskyy held a meeting with the Pope.
Russia launched 273 drone strikes by 5am GMT on Sunday, targeting Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk, killing at least one person in the process, Ukraine’s air force said.
This massive attack comes just a day before Donald Trump is set to call Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a bid to achieve a ceasefire.
Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks since Putin launched his violent invasion in 2022 last week, but a ceasefire remains unlikely, with the Kremlin demanding it retains control of at least five Ukrainian regions should the war end.
Read more: Pope Leo XIV meets privately with Zelenskyy after being officially inaugurated as pontiff
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire following Russia’s drone attack in the Kyiv region.
Picture:
Alamy
Speaking on Sunday, Ukraine’s air force said of the 273 drones directed at the country 88 were intercepted and another 128 went astray.
One person was killed in the attacks, at least three others were injured.
The previous largest attack came on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, with 267 drones sent on February 23.
“For Russia, the negotiations [on Friday] in Istanbul are just a pretence. Putin wants war,” said Ukrainian official Andriy Yermak.
It comes as the new Pope met privately with Zelenskyy after vowing to make “every effort” to help end the war.
Leo XIV, the first ever US pontiff, gave his first major address during his inauguration ceremony, attended by world leaders and thousands of faithful on Sunday.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine after a Mass for the formal inauguration of his pontificate, in St. Peter’s Square.
Picture:
Alamy
Taking to X after the meeting, Zelenskyy said: “After the inauguration Mass, we had a meeting with Pope Leo XIV. We are grateful to His Holiness for the audience.
“For millions of people around the world, the Pontiff is a symbol of hope for peace. The authority and voice of the Holy See can play an important role in bringing this war to an end.
“We thank the Vatican for its willingness to serve as a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
“We are ready for dialogue in any format for the sake of tangible results. We appreciate the support for Ukraine and the clear voice in defence of a just and lasting peace.”
Leo marked the start of his papacy by calling for unity within the church and for it to act as a “leaven of harmony for humanity”.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and the Duke of Edinburgh, who was representing the King, were among attendees at the outdoor Mass in the Vatican on Sunday morning.
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire following Russia’s drone attack in the Kyiv region.
Picture:
Alamy
Ahead of the ceremony, Leo took his first popemobile ride through St Peter’s Square, waving from the back of the open-back vehicle to the jubilant crowd who carried flags and cheered “Viva il Papa.”
Leo appeared to choke up when the two symbols of the papacy were placed on him during the mass, the pallium, a woollen stole, over his shoulders and the fisherman’s ring on his finger.
The pontiff appeared thoughtful as he held a hand over his chest as a part of the Gospel was chanted in Greek during the mass, later smiling and nodding as he was applauded by the crowds.
During his homily, the Pope paid tribute to his predecessors Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIII, and called for unity within the church.
He said: “I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.
“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest.”
He added: “The heart of the gospel is the love of God that makes us brothers and sisters.
“With my predecessor, Leo XIII, we can ask ourselves today, if this criterion were to prevail in the world, would not every conflict cease and peace return?
“With the light and the strength of the Holy Spirit that is still the church founded on God’s love, a sign of humanity, a missionary church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made restless by history and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity.”
The new Pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago, was elected on May 8 after a conclave meeting of 133 cardinals from 70 countries in just over 24 hours.
Three UK cardinals took part in conclave, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche, as did Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell who has mainly ministered in the US and been based in Rome for some years.
In the days since his election, the 69-year-old has outlined some of his key priorities as pope, saying the Holy See’s three pillars of diplomacy are peace, justice and truth during his first foreign policy address.
During his first Sunday blessing earlier this month, Leo called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.