On May 19, 2025, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The event was a major gathering with tens of thousands of worshippers and leaders from around 150 countries.
Merz called the ceremony an “uplifting moment” and wished the new Pope wisdom and good fortune.
Beyond the religious event, Merz used the occasion to hold important political talks. He met with:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Earlier, he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. These meetings focused on efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Later, Merz planned a joint call with:
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- US President Donald Trump
The call aimed to prepare for Trump’s upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Merz expressed hope that these talks would bring progress and stressed that Europeans and Americans are working closely to end the conflict quickly.
This combination of spiritual ceremony and high-level diplomacy at the Pope’s inauguration highlights a unique moment where faith and politics meet in hopes of peace.
Stay tuned to Questiqa Europe News for more latest updates.
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