The new pope will preside over an inauguration mass on Sunday, which will be held in Saint Peter’s Square, according to the Vatican.

He added that the new pontiff had told Zelenskiy in a telephone call on Monday that he was ready to facilitate such meetings and had promised to "do his best" to help bring about a just and lasting peace.

Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, said that the new pontiff had a phone call with Zelensky on Monday, during which the pope expressed willingness to facilitate meetings between global leaders and vowed to support efforts for "a just and lasting peace.