On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Ukrainian First Couple President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska attended Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration Mass. The event, which took place in Rome, brought together heads of state and religious leaders from all over the world.
After the Mass, Pope Leo received President Zelensky and his wife in a private audience. Zelenska’s appearance quickly became a talking point on various platforms, where users shared compliments and observations. One Redditor wrote, “Olena is stunning! I’d like a closer look at the hat.” Another added, “She is beautiful indeed.”
Posts on X echoed similar sentiments. One read, “Mrs. Zelinsky he looks like royalty. Stunning. [sic]” Another user shared, “Class, dignity and humanity radiated from Olena Zelenska and Volodymyr Zelensky as they attended the Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV on a beautiful day in Rome.”
The praise continued across other platforms. On Instagram, a viewer commented, “This is so beautiful, such a loving, basic human gesture: The giving of gifts. President Zelensky is a beautiful soul and his wife is stunning.”
Facebook users also expressed admiration. One person wrote, “Mrs. Zelensky is so pretty. Peace to Ukraine.” Another added, “She’s a natural beauty. Not all plastic and fake.” But not all attendees garnered the same level of public admiration.
The United States was represented at the Mass by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance. Online commentators, however, had a more muted reaction to their appearance, with several pointing out that they lacked warmth throughout the event.
A rush of internet responses followed Vance’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV during the new pontiff’s first Mass. On the surface, the brief encounter appeared friendly, but viewers quickly criticised everything from body language to what they perceived as a lack of respect.
Vance and his spouse were among the religious and political dignitaries that attended the historic Mass in Vatican City that inaugurated Pope Leo’s pontificate—the first time the position has been held by an American. The pair participated in the event, which attracted international attention, despite the pontiff’s prior criticism of the Trump administration.
The 69-year-old pope greeted the vice president and his spouse briefly after the Mass. During a short 17-second interaction, the two parties shook hands and spoke briefly. Pope Leo was seen courteously nodding as Vance talked in a video clip that caught the incident.
What would have appeared to be a common diplomatic gesture, however, became a trending subject on the internet. The meeting finished with Vance giving the pope a warm pat on the shoulder, which many viewers felt was far too casual for the late Pope Francis’ successor.
Social media users scrutinized everything from Vance’s approach to what they perceived as a cold reaction from the pope and even his limited interaction with Usha Vance. One viewer didn’t hold back, bluntly stating, “Very disrespectful @JDVance.” Someone else weighed in, “JD needs some help in his faith. The Pope is not his business associate. Good grief.”
Another commenter analyzed the moment closely, “JD seemed a bit conflicted, one could tell. He didn’t know if he was to do this like he was the boss, or like where prevost was the boss. He was clearly awkward. Notice the shrug of the shoulders by prevost after JD passes on [sic].”
Another person took issue with the informality, noting, “He taps him on his shoulder like his buddy, not like the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ on earth. Please pray our Church returns to some remembrance of the importance of hierarchy.”
Some people focused on the pontiff’s demeanor, writing, “The body language by the pope was a bit cold there. Ouch?” From a different angle, someone pointed out, “It looked like the pope disregarded Mrs. Vance. Shaking hands and looking elsewhere. Nope. Not feeling it.”
A commenter delved into the subtleties, “Body language is everything. Our VPOTUS was warm in greeting him. He shrugs heavily when he and SLOTUS turn to leave. How telling and disrespectful. He’s not fooling anyone. Certainly not me.” And finally, one user summed it up harshly with, “Wow the pope was so ungracious.”
Despite the online chatter surrounding his brief interaction with Pope Leo XIV, Vance has shown no signs of discomfort. He posted a photo of himself and his wife, Usha, at the Mass and wrote, “It was an honor to join so many of the faithful at the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV this morning!”
Another photo that was circulated from the event showed the couple sharing a kiss during Holy Mass, which demonstrated how comfortable they were during the event.
During their trip, Vance and Usha also went to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis. Sharing the moment online, Vance wrote, “Today, Usha and I visited the tomb of the late Holy Father Pope Francis. He was beloved by many Catholics around the world, and I hope you will join me in praying for the repose of his soul.”
Later that day, Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia. He posted, “This afternoon, Secretary Rubio and I met with President Zelensky. Our countries share the goal of ending unnecessary bloodshed in Ukraine, and we discussed updates on the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace.”
Pope Leo and JD Vance seem to have a great dedication to peace, which permeated the pontiff’s first Mass. The pope took the opportunity to call for compassion and togetherness in the face of inequity, intolerance, and division as international tensions and humanitarian problems continue to develop.
In a world plagued by violence, discrimination, and economic structures that take advantage of the environment and its most defenceless citizens, he underlined the importance of healing.
The pope urged people of all backgrounds, including Christians, people of other religions, and those who are spiritually curious, to follow a common road of hope and reconciliation by calling for a global movement towards unity and brotherhood.
Instead of moral superiority or seclusion, the pope advocated for unity and openness. By presenting God’s love as a unifying force that values and embraces diversity rather than eradicating it, he emphasised the significance of constructing bridges across many cultures, histories, and faiths.
Pope Leo, who was formerly known as Father Robert Prevost, has a history of denouncing atrocities. Additionally, he has previously attacked Vance and Donald Trump. Long before Francis became pope, this criticism started.
The pope has been very outspoken about the Trump administration’s immigration policy, denouncing them time and time again as being immoral and lacking in empathy.
Sharp criticism of US political personalities, including Vance, was revealed in a series of previous tweets that appeared in the hours following his election.
One now-deleted tweet read, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” linking to an article from National Catholic Reporter. Another deleted tweet criticized Vance’s interpretation of religious duty in the context of immigration.
The remarks made by his brother, John Prevost, who provided insight into Pope Leo’s personal beliefs, further emphasised the pope’s position on immigration.
“I don’t think he’ll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say,” Prevost noted. “I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration. I know that for a fact. How far he’ll go with it is only one’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”
In addition, Pope Leo made a direct and pressing plea to the most powerful countries in the world during his first Sunday noon benediction on May 11th, demanding justice for the oppressed and peace in areas devastated by conflict.
The address, delivered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, marked the new pontiff’s first public message since assuming the papacy and drew a crowd of nearly 100,000 faithful to Vatican City. “I, too, address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call ‘never again war,’” Pope Leo declared, his voice echoing across the packed square.
The pope’s speech focused on Gaza and Ukraine, two of the most unstable crises in the world. He cited Pope Francis, his predecessor, when he said that the world is currently engaged in a “third world war in pieces.”
“I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,” Leo XIII declared. “Whatever is possible be done to reach an authentic true and lasting peace as quickly as possible.”
He demanded the safe return of Ukrainian children who had been displaced by the fighting and the release of prisoners of war. In a speech that mostly emphasised the gravity of the continuing world turmoil, he also lauded a ceasefire that was just established between India and Pakistan.
Pope Leo turned his attention to the Middle East and urged an immediate end to the hostilities in Gaza. He demanded an immediate end to hostilities, the release of all captives, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. He also requested that the weary civilian populace be given relief.
The presence on Sunday was full of meaning. Pope Leo appeared determined to establish his pontificate as one of reconciliation and fearless truth-telling, as seen by his movements on the balcony and his purposeful summoning of unity in a divided Catholic Church.
