Against the backdrop of Pope Leo XIV's first papal mass Sunday, Vice President JD Vance met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about achieving a stand down in the war.

Pope Leo XIV has called for unity at his inaugural mass at the Vatican attended by thousands of faithful and world leaders including Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. During the address on Sunday, he criticised economic systems which he said exploited "Earth's resources" and and marginalised the poor.

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.