Skip next section US’ Vance, EU’s von der Leyen and Italy’s Meloni discuss EU-US tradeMay 18, 2025
US’ Vance, EU’s von der Leyen and Italy’s Meloni discuss EU-US tradeRelations between the US and EU have been strained since Trump took officeImage: Jacquelyn Martin/AP/picture alliance US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that Europe remains “an important ally” despite recent trade tensions in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Vance met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome after the Pope’s inaugural Mass.
The US vice president said he hoped the talks — the first time high-level leaders from the US and EU have met since Trump introduced his tariffs this year — would pave the way for “long-term trade negotiations and some long-term trade advantages between both Europe and the United States.”
The Trump administration has slapped a range of import taxes on European nations, including a 25% tariff on imports of steel, aluminium and cars, as well as a “universal”, baseline 10% tariff, which applies to almost all countries.
The EU will face so-called “reciprocal” tariffs of 20% if trade talks fail to yield a deal during a 90-day pause Trump announced last month.
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“I’ve said repeatedly that I think Europe is an important ally of the United States, the individual countries within Europe are important allies of the United States,” Vance said at the start of the meeting when the cameras were still rolling.
“But of course we have some disagreements, as friends sometimes do, on issues like trade, and we also have many agreements and many things that we can work on together, and I’m looking forward to this conversation,” he added.
Von der Leyen, meanwhile, lauded the “very special and very close” EU-US relations, which she said was the largest in the world and is valued at over $1.5 trillion (€1.34 trillion) per year.
She said the two sides had outlined topics for future talks on a trade deal and exchanged documents that would allow technical discussions to begin.
“Everybody knows that the devil is in the detail[s], but what unites us is that at the end, we want together to have a good deal for both sides,” she added.
Meloni, meanwhile, said she was optimistic the talks would represent a “new beginning” in EU-US relations, which she said were vital for a “strong West, for our civilization.”
The right-wing populist Meloni, who enjoys a good relationship with Donald Trump, has tried to position herself as a possible bridge between Brussels and Washington.
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Skip next section Ukraine ‘ready for talks’, Zelenskyy says after Pope meetingMay 18, 2025
Ukraine ‘ready for talks’, Zelenskyy says after Pope meetingZelenskyy said he was ‘grateful’ for the Pope’s time and supportImage: Vatican Media/abaca/picture alliance Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Pope Leo XIV after the pontiff’s inaugural Mass at the Vatican.
During their meeting, the Ukrainian leader told the new pope that his government is “ready for dialogue in any format” in order to achieve “tangible results” in peace negotiations with Russia.
Ukraine has said it is willing to agree to a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to accept.
In a post on X, the Ukrainian leader thanked the Pontiff for the Vatican’s “willingness to serve as a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.”
“We appreciate the support for Ukraine and the clear voice in defense of a just and lasting peace,” he said.
Zelenskyy added that the Holy See’s “authority and voice” could be crucial in bringing the three-year war to an end.
The Pope, he added, is “a symbol of hope for peace” for “millions of people around the world.”
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Skip next section Zelenskyy, Vance discuss Putin-Trump call in brief meetingMay 18, 2025
Zelenskyy, Vance discuss Putin-Trump call in brief meetingZelenskyy (L) and Vance met for the first time since a dramatic showdown at the White House in FebruaryImage: Michael Kappeler/dpa/picture allianceUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance discussed the upcoming phone call between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy and Vance’s brief meeting lasted 30 minutes, a senior Ukrainian official said.
Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, the official said Zelenskyy and Vance had discussed preparations for the highly anticipated conversation between the US and Russian presidents on Monday.
Trump said last week that there would be no progress on peace talks between Ukraine and Russia until he sits down with Putin.
Vance and Zelenskyy also discussed the possibility of imposing sanctions on Moscow unless a ceasefire which leads to a peace deal is agreed.
European nations have threatened to impose heavy sanctions on Russia to pressure it into agreeing to a truce and ending the war.
Zelenskyy insisted that Ukraine was ready to engage in “real diplomacy” to secure a “full and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible.”
“Pressure is needed against Russia until they are eager to stop the war,” Zelenskyy added.
During the meeting, which also included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Zelenskyy briefed the senior White House officials on Friday’s talks in Istanbul, the first high-level direct meeting between Russia and Ukraine in three years.
Zelenskyy told Vance and Rubio that Russia had set “unrealistic conditions” at the negotiations in the Turkish city, according to a statement by the Ukrainian Presidential Office.
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Skip next section Zelenskyy meets US Vice President Vance, Secretary of State RubioMay 18, 2025
Zelenskyy meets US Vice President Vance, Secretary of State RubioOn the sidelines of the pope’s inauguration, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, news agencies reported, citing unnamed sources.
“Vice President Vance is now meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” at the US ambassador’s residence, the French AFP news agency quoted a Vance spokesperson as saying.
The meeting was the first since a dramatic showdown between Zelenskyy on one side and Vance and US President Donald Trump on the other side at the Oval Office in February.
Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV later.
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Skip next section Pope to hold audience with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy on SundayMay 18, 2025
Pope to hold audience with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy on SundayPope Leo XIV will hold a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday afternoon, the Vatican has said.
Zelenskyy attended the pope’s inaugural Mass on Sunday morning with his wife, Olena.
Speaking moments after the Mass ended, Leo mentioned the “martyred” Ukraine and called for a “just and lasting peace.”
He recently offered the Vatican as a possible venue for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which launched an unprovoked full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.
The pope is also expected to meet with US Vice President JD Vance on Monday.
Vance, a converted Catholic, was one of the last people to meet with the late Pope Francis, with whom he clashed over the hardline immigration policies of the Trump administration.
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Skip next section Pope’s homily criticizes economic system exploiting nature, poorMay 18, 2025
Pope’s homily criticizes economic system exploiting nature, poorIn a homily held at his inauguration Mass, Pope Leo XIV set out priorities recalling those of his predecessor, Francis, while calling for unity within his church at a time of threatened divisions in the US and beyond.
“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,” he said.
“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 marginalizes the poorest,” Leo added.
He said he would seek to govern “without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat.”
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Skip next section Numerous world leaders in attendance at papal inaugurationMay 18, 2025
Numerous world leaders in attendance at papal inaugurationLeaders from several countries are present at the Mass.
Among them is Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
The German delegation includes Friedrich Merz (third from left), Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and Vice Chancellor Lars KlingbeilImage: Remo Casilli/REUTERS Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena, are also in attendance.
Volodmyr Zelenskyy (C) and his wife, OlenaImage: Isabella Bonotto/AFP/Getty Images US Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, are in the US delegation.
JD Vance and his wife, Usha, at the VaticanImage: Eloisa Lopez/REUTERS Other guests at the Mass include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spain’s King Felipe with his wife, Queen Letizia.
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Skip next section What happens at an Inauguration Mass?May 18, 2025
What happens at an Inauguration Mass?Sunday’s Mass to inaugurate the new pope will include prayers, music, readings from the New Testament, a homily and Communion, all in the usual order.
A significant moment will occur just before the homily, when cardinals will give Leo the pallium — a stolelike vestment of wool symbolizing the pope’s role as shepherd of the faithful — and the fisherman’s ring, showing St. Peter casting a net in reference to a passage in the Gospels.
In the passage, Jesus is said to have referred to wanting to make his apostle Peter a “fisher of men.”
After the pope receives these two insignia, a delegation representing different roles in the church, which includes a married couple, will greet Leo XIV in the “rite of obedience.”
This symbolizes the church turning to the new pope for guidance.
Crowds gather for inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIVTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section Pope Leo prays at tomb of St. Peter before Mass beginsMay 18, 2025
Pope Leo prays at tomb of St. Peter before Mass beginsPope Leo XIV has prayed before the tomb of St. Peter, considered to be the first pontiff, in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The prayer is one of the major rites before the inauguration Mass, which has gotten underway.
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Skip next section Pope Leo rides popemobile for the first timeMay 18, 2025
Pope Leo rides popemobile for the first timePope Leo has waved to crowds from his popemobileImage: Yara Nardi/REUTERSPope Leo XIV has taken his first public ride in his popemobile, making a tour of St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican while smiling and waving to the crowds who have gathered for his inauguration Mass.
Many in the crowd waved flags and called out “Viva il Papa!” as Leo, 69, passed by, standing in the white open-back truck.
The vehicle, protected by several security guards who jogged alongside, mostly moved quickly, but made two brief stops to allow Leo to bless three babies.
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Skip next section World leaders, royalty at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural MassMay 18, 2025
World leaders, royalty at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural MassA host of international leaders are expected to be present at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Sunday, the Holy See said on Saturday.
Representatives from Italy, Peru and the United States will have front-row seats in the VIP gallery, as Pope Leo XIV has dual citizenship in the US and Peru.
The US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte will also be in attendance, while Italy will be represented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also among more than 150 international delegations registered to attend, along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Other world leaders expected at the Mass in St. Peter’s Square include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Argentina’s Javier Milei, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Colombia’s Gustavo Petro.
Among the European royalty in attendance will be Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
The event is expected to include several bilateral meetings between visiting dignitaries.
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said efforts are underway to arrange a private audience between the new pope and US Vice President Vance.
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Skip next section Pope Leo XIV to be inaugurated at Vatican MassMay 18, 2025
Pope Leo XIV to be inaugurated at Vatican MassPope Leo XIV will officially begin his papacy on Sunday with a ceremonial Mass on St. Peter’s Square.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend, including world leaders.
The Mass, which begins at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT), will follow Pope Leo XIV’s first public ride in the popemobile at 9:00 a.m.
During the Mass, Pope Leo will receive the two symbols of the papacy: the lambswool stole, known as a pallium, and the fisherman’s ring.
The 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago, is the first pope from the United States, elected on May 8 after a brief conclave.
He succeeds Pope Francis, who died on April 21 after leading the Catholic church for 12 years.
In recent remarks, Pope Leo XIV has called for global peace and social justice.
There is tight security in place across Rome for the event, including rooftop snipers and anti-drone units.
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Skip next section Welcome to our coverageMay 18, 2025
Welcome to our coveragePope Leo XIV will officially assume his role as leader of the Catholic Church on Sunday during a ceremonial Mass in St. Peter’s Square.
Tens of thousands of well-wishers, as well as world leaders and members of European royalty, are expected to be in attendance.
DW will bring you the latest news, analysis and insights from our reporters and correspondents regarding the inauguration of the new pope. Stay tuned for more.
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