live from london. this is bbc news. pope francis and president zelensky meet at the vatican — both men agree on the need for continuing humanitarian efforts in ukraine. final campaign rallies have been held in turkey ahead of sunday's crucial election. and the final countdown in liverpool as the world's biggest song contest gets under way, injust an hour. hello, i'm lukwesa burak. we start in rome, where ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky is on a one—day visit. he's been meeting italy's prime minister, giorgia meloni,

who affirmed that italy would remain a solid ally, and provide kyiv with all the assistance it needed. prime minister meloni also stressed that the conflict would only end when russia stopped its aggression, and withdrew from all ukrainian territory, adding that any other outcome would jeopardise peace in all of europe. president zelensky then had a private audience with pope francis. it's the first meeting between the two men since russia invaded ukraine. president zelensky says he thanked the pope for focusing �*on the tragedy of millions of ukrainians�*. our europe regional editor paul moss has been telling us about the significance of this visit to vatican. let me set the context for you. pope francis has talked a lot in the past about the suffering of the ukrainian people. he's also condemned certain specific war crimes committed in ukraine. however, critics suggest that the pope has not been strong enough in making very clear that

it's russia that's in the wrong and ukraine that's been invaded. they say he should come down on one side or the other. in fact, the pope has never criticised vladimir putin personally. he once described him as a "cultu red fellow". when he was asked to visit ukraine, he's made it clear he would visit ukraine if he could also visit russia as well. for some people, again, suggesting some kind of moral equivalence. so, volodymyr zelensky went to see him today. what was he hoping for? one presumes he might have been hoping to get the pope a bit more clearly on side. if that was his hope, i think he'll be disappointed. the vatican's now issued a statement. and it's really rather remarkable that, bear in mind, we have a president from ukraine going to see the pope to talk about how his country was invaded by russia. and this statement does not mention russia once, it speaks in rather elliptic language. it says, and i'm reading here, when the vatican describing the meeting says they "discussed issues relating to the humanitarian and political situation in ukraine caused by the ongoing war. together, they agreed on the need

to continue humanitarian efforts to support the population." no mention of why that population is suffering. in other words, because russia invaded. what the pope offered, instead, he said he would give mr zelensky his prayers. well, i think mr zelensky may well have been hoping for more than prayers, a little more condemnation of russia, in which case he will be disappointed. i should say, though, that mr zelensky has expressed his gratitude, he said on telegram, "i'm very grateful to the pope for his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of ukrainians." there was something else, though, that was missing from the vatican statement. the pope has said before he has a secret mission under way to bring peace to ukraine, but no details of that. what does it mean? well, perhaps we were hoping for an idea of what the pope meant. if so, again, disappointment. no mention of that secret mission today. well, president zelensky�*s next stop is berlin. here's paul moss again — on what president zelensky

might hope to get out of the visit to germany. drain is the biggest package germany has offered ukraine since the conflict started. they said because of the history, what happened in the second world war, fighting russia, it seems to be full on in its support. some details here of it. it is very generous including 30 leopard tanks, 15 anti—aircraft tanks, more than 200 reconnaissance drones and for anti—aircraft systems. it makes a very clear that germany is on ukraine's side and i suppose zelensky will be offering thanks for that. thanks too for what is less talked about, that is hosting more than a million ukrainian refugees. but once again,

mr zelensky has to make sure to shore up support and not rely on it. surveys suggest that people in germany are flagging in their support of ukraine, fewer wanting to give financial support to uk and fewer wanting ukrainian refugees in germany. mr zelensky has to make sure he keeps that country on its side. 0ne extra thing speculated and only speculated is that mr zelensky may full flight of the city of aachen to begin a prize given to someone contributing to european unification. no confirmation of that so far. mr zelensky�*s visit to italy comes as russia carried out a new wave of air strikes on kyiv and other cities. a grand will come in rain. this is the first time that president zelensky has visited italy since russia invaded ukraine. 0n zelensky has visited italy since russia invaded ukraine. on his arrival, he tweeted that it was an important visit. it was a packed

agenda. first a private meeting with his counterpart, the italian president mattarella. translation: president mattarella. tuna/mom- president mattarella. translation: �* ., ., ~ translation: i'm here to thank italians society. _ translation: i'm here to thank italians society. unfortunately, l translation: i'm here to thank italians society. unfortunately, i| italians society. unfortunately, i don't have time to shake hands with everyone and hug them for the great support italy has provided to ukraine. ., ., ~ . ukraine. then a working lunch with gior: ia ukraine. then a working lunch with giorgia meloni. _ giorgia meloni. translation: ~ ., ., giorgia meloni. translation: ., ., translation: we are not so hypocritical — translation: we are not so hypocritical as _ translation: we are not so hypocritical as to _ translation: we are not so hypocritical as to pretend - translation: we are not so | hypocritical as to pretend that anything that represents an invasion is peace~ _ anything that represents an invasion is peace. peace cannot be achieved through— is peace. peace cannot be achieved through any— is peace. peace cannot be achieved through any kind of surrender on ukraine's— through any kind of surrender on ukraine's side. but through any kind of surrender on ukraine's side.— ukraine's side. but italy is a country that _ ukraine's side. but italy is a country that historically - ukraine's side. but italy is a country that historically has| ukraine's side. but italy is a - country that historically has strong highs with russia. some members of giorgia meloni's government is not so keen on sending weapons to kyiv.

a private audience with the head of the catholic church was next. this is the first time that president zelensky and pope francis have met since russia invaded ukraine last year. the pope has cold for peace in ukraine time and again. and although he doesn't take political sides, this meeting is very symbolic. they spoke for a0 minutes and both agreed on the need to continue humanitarian efforts towards the victims of the conflict. the pope told mr zelensky he constantly prays for peace in ukraine. he cannot in force peace but can be an influential figure. mr zelensky�*s visit to italy comes as russia carried out a new wave of air strikes on kyiv and other cities. ukrainian authorities say the county's military intercepted all drones directed at the capital. but in the southern city of mykolaiv, 3 people were injured in attacks.

and in the western city of khmelnytsky — critical infrastructure as well as residential and government buildings were hit. the latest russian strikes come as ukrainian forces say they have made progress near the eastern city of bakhmut. our correspondent, hugo bachega is in kyiv. he he says that drones used to attack russian cities and have intercepted i7 attack russian cities and have intercepted 17 of those drones. one of the targets was the region of the west where civilian infrastructure was hit. this was a transport hub in the west of ukraine. the authorities say that at least 11 people were injured in that part of the country.

the city of mecca life was also hit and three people were injured. these latest attacks happened as ukraine says it has made some gains around the city of bakhmut which has been a key target for russian forces in the east of the country. yesterday, the russian defence minister seem to acknowledge that ukrainian forces have made some gains around bakhmut and also said that russian forces had abandoned some positions. there was some criticism from the head of the group who has been leading the russian efforts to seize back moot and he said that what had happened near bakhmut was a chilly a rout. well, because of the russian invasion, ukraine has been unable to host the eurovision song contest — despite winning the competition last year.

the uk is holding the contest on ukraine's behalf. in less than an hour the big final is going to start in liverpool. more than i60—million people across the continent are expected to watch. among the favourites to win — sweden. eurovision legend loreen first won the competition in 2012. now she's back — hoping to claim victory for a second time. finland's entry — cha cha cha — is also considered a strong contender for first place. and reigning champions ukraine are defending their title — with electronic duo tvorchi putting forward the dance number

�*heart of steel.�* joining me now is our eurovision reporter daniel rosney who is in the arena. daniel, what is the atmosphere likemackie looks beautiful. you can see around 45 _ likemackie looks beautiful. you can see around as minutes _ likemackie looks beautiful. you can see around as minutes until - see around a5 minutes until showtime. the first eurovision song contest to be held in the uk for quarter of a century. last time was in 1998 in birmingham. the cloud have started to arrive and there are two drag queens on stage playing eurovision hits. this one is from ukraine. the singer was involved in the flag ceremony tonight on stage. there are a lot of blue and yellow flags on the dance floor. it is a sea of flags down there. you can see the union flag of the united

kingdom, the ukrainian flag, spain, portugal... that�*s what i love about covering this event, people fly in from all over. it is something that truly unites audiences. like a very special competition in 2023 because uk is working with ukraine to present this to the world. everyone is starting to get excited now and i can see backstage below me, the green room where artists will be sitting waiting to get the points from across europe. that is a very tense moment. it has been funny in rehearsals because they have been practising the points bit but they have to make it up. so they have no idea who is going to wind tonight. i can see my eye line marco, the italian participant this evening. it is the second attempt at eurovision that he is entered. there�*s a

handful of contestants who have done this. one of them as you said was loreen for sweden back in 2012. it is difficult to explain the cultural significance she has in this competition. when she one, her song became a huge hit across europe and brought a wave of fandom to eurovision. i was one of them and got into the competition because of that song. it�*s like a homecoming for her at eurovision this year. she has been a favourite for a very long time. we know that anything can happen and i remember last year when some ryder started getting points from across europe online, the twitter phrase what is happening was trending. who knows what will happen? trending. who knows what will ha en? �* trending. who knows what will hauen?�* , ,, ., trending. who knows what will hau�*en? , ,, . happen? i'm so impressed that you are able to — happen? i'm so impressed that you are able to speak— happen? i'm so impressed that you are able to speak to _ happen? i'm so impressed that you are able to speak to me _ happen? i'm so impressed that you are able to speak to me with - happen? i'm so impressed that you are able to speak to me with that i are able to speak to me with that background noise. ijust want to are able to speak to me with that background noise. i just want to ask you quickly because obviously the uk

is hosting this on behalf of ukraine. in terms of the culture, of the evening, do you get the sense that it the evening, do you get the sense thatitis the evening, do you get the sense that it is ukraine on the mersey tonight? that it is ukraine on the mersey toniaht? ~ , , tonight? absolutely. i was very luc that tonight? absolutely. i was very lucky that i _ tonight? absolutely. i was very lucky that i saw _ tonight? absolutely. i was very lucky that i saw the _ tonight? absolutely. i was very lucky that i saw the rock - tonight? absolutely. i was very lucky that i saw the rock fall. tonight? absolutely. i was very| lucky that i saw the rock fall ran through last night and the only thing i don�*t know is who winds. i saw visit played and that sequence ends with them on stage. the flag ceremony when all 26 countries will be represented on stage. they wave their flags and a handful of previous ukrainian contestants perform behind them on screen. one of the hosts of this year is ukrainian, the front row and of a rock band. and in the interval, waiting for the points will be a

musical medley of liverpudlian music. the balance is liverpool music. the balance is liverpool music and ukrainian music. when it started last night when i was very lucky to be on here, i do think, if you didn�*t know it was a liverpool, the first ten minutes could have been a ukrainian production. speaking to one of the people involved in the ukrainian broadcaster, head of ukrainian eurovision, she said it has been an amazing collaboration with the bbc. they have been working together to deliver the best show on planet earth. ., .., deliver the best show on planet earth. ., _, i. ., deliver the best show on planet earth. ., ., ., ., earth. how come you are not able to dance to an — earth. how come you are not able to dance to an eurovision _ earth. how come you are not able to dance to an eurovision classic- dance to an eurovision classic playing in the background? abba playing in the background? abba playing in the background. that is better. i can see the countdown clock in the background. what is it, a1 minutes? clock in the background. what is it, 41 minutes?—

41 minutes? that countdown is sli . htl 41 minutes? that countdown is slightly before _ 41 minutes? that countdown is slightly before eight _ 41 minutes? that countdown is slightly before eight o'clock- slightly before eight o�*clock because obviously the stage managers have to explain to the audience what is going to happen tonight. but it is going to happen tonight. but it is one fantastic slick production, 160 million people watching. daniel, one more question. _ 160 million people watching. daniel, one more question. in _ 160 million people watching. daniel, one more question. in terms - 160 million people watching. daniel, one more question. in terms of - one more question. in terms of countdown and who is watching, i don�*t know if people are aware but this is the last time we are likely to see australia. they were wild card guests to eurovision but this is their last year performing? yes. is their last year performing? yes, the had is their last year performing? yes, they had an _ is their last year performing? yes, they had an agreement _ is their last year performing? yes, they had an agreement in - is their last year performing? 1c: they had an agreement in 2015 where they had an agreement in 2015 where they could compete as honorary members of the european broadcasting union but that runs out this year. sbs, the broadcaster in australia have been very quiet about what will happen next year. but australia was my performance tonight is one to watch. that did surprise me during the run—through. we have to wait and see. the run-through. we have to wait and see. ., ~' the run-through. we have to wait and see. . ~ , ., the run-through. we have to wait and see. ., ~ ,, �* the run-through. we have to wait and see. . ~ i. �* ., .,

see. thank you. i'll leave it to our see. thank you. i'll leave it to your dancing- _ see. thank you. i'll leave it to your dancing. they _ see. thank you. i'll leave it to your dancing. they didn't - see. thank you. i'll leave it to your dancing. they didn't like | see. thank you. i'll leave it to - your dancing. they didn't like dad your dancing. they didn�*t like dad dancing for a minute. a reminder you can head to our website for all the very latest on eurovision — we�*ve got all the details live at the moments, streaming via the bbc news website with a very special countdown. he is part of the countdown team to eurovision 2023 lifer from countdown team to eurovision 2023 liferfrom liverpool via countdown team to eurovision 2023 lifer from liverpool via the countdown team to eurovision 2023 liferfrom liverpool via the bbc. let�*s bring you some breaking news now — a senior egyptian offical has told the bbc that a ceasefire between israel and palestine will begin in an hour�*s time. these are live pictures from gaza.

via the reuters agency and sources speaking to the bbc saying that israel and the gaza militant group have agreed to a ceasefire starting at 2200 hrs local time. that is 1900 hrs gmt. no comments so far from benjamin netanyahu but this is coming from egyptian sources. egypt are playing quite a role in mediating the ceasefire. more when we get it. the pictures you can see there are live from gaza as that ceasefire is set to begin shortly. the presidential candidates in turkey are completing a final day of campaigning — before sunday�*s crucial election. president recep tayyip erdogan held a rally in istanbul earlier, a city where he built his popular

support as mayor more than 20 years ago. and his secular challenger, kemal kilicdaroglu, has also been campaigning — pledging to restore democracy and improve relations with the west. from ankara, our international correspondent, orla guerin, has more on what�*s at stake in this election. turkey is facing a binary choice in effect after 20 years of rule by president erdogan. there is now an alternative on offer, the opposition kemal kilicdaroglu who is the leader of the main opposition party in this election. he is standing on a coalition of six opposition parties. that is a very broad church, every kind of party, islamists, nationalists, even former allies of president erdogan are in this coalition. they have come together with one aim, really, which is to unseat him.

we saw today that president erdogan was complaining up to the last minute with that rally in istanbul which you mentioned. he has been sitting hard against his opponent, once again today claiming without any proof that kemal kilicdaroglu and his party are linked to the banned pkk, the kurdistan workers�* party, which is classed here and in the us and europe as a terrorist group. that is an accusation he makes pretty regularly during the campaign. mr kilicdaroglu is very different in style and tone and has emphasised his desire to bring people together. he appeals to young turks, there are five millions here voting tomorrow for the first time. let�*s get you an update from pakistan now — following those dramatic events there on friday, after the country�*s former prime minister, imran khan, finally left the high court in islamabad, a day after the supreme court ruled his arrest on corruption

charges was illegal. mr khan�*s detention on tuesday sparked days of violent protests, in which a number of people died. a short time ago imran khan released a video statement. bbc urdu�*s saher baloch has been analysing imran khan�*s speech. he spoke about how he is still in disbelief over the fact that his supporters are being accused of perpetrating violence and damaging public property. this is something already knew from him because he spoke about it in a roundabout way as you may be aware after his arrest. his supporters allegedly went out and damaged public property and went into military houses in lahore. he was addressing his

supporters and saying how he is still in disbelief over the fact that his supporters chose violence. he didn�*t apologise or condemn it but said his supporters cannot do this. some of his address was a repetition of what he has been saying so far, but in this case it was a huge thing that he still spoke about the fact that military is misunderstanding his intentions. backin misunderstanding his intentions. back in his lahore residents, there is a lot of quiet. i came from lahore to islamabad and i saw how most of the container is used as roadblocks were removed from the area after media supporters were dispersed by the police. there is already a section imposed on islamabad which means there is a ban on public gatherings. so the former prime minister imran khan could not address his supporters in that moment in time. there was lots of

clarity and it is thought he is still going to ask his supporters to come out tomorrow apparently. it will be seen how they go about it but so far, it is far more peaceful thanit but so far, it is far more peaceful than it was two days ago. around half a million people are being evacuated to safer areas in south east bangladesh, ahead of a cyclone forecasters say could be extremely dangerous. cyclone mocha is predicted to make landfall on sunday, with speeds of up to 170kph, and storm surges of to 12 feet. from cox�*s bazar, our south asia correspondent rajini vaidya nathan reports well, this school has now become a cyclone shelter. and throughout the afternoon, we�*ve seen families arrive with young children, carrying bags full of whatever they want to get them through the next few days of this terrible weather, even some people turning up with their livestock as well, with chickens and with cattle. now, the government has been telling people that they should come to one

of these shelters to seek sanctuary. although away from here, we�*ve seen a lot of people who are carrying on with their normal lives, unaware of what might actually happen. now, as you can see here, this is one of the classrooms. lots of families here. the government in bangladesh is hoping that around half a million people will eventually be moved to the shelters to stay safe during cyclone mocha, which some forecasters say could be the worst such storm to hit this area in more than a decade. one thing important to note is that while people here do have a safe place to see this storm out, there are close to a million rohingya refugees not too far from where we are who are living in the world�*s largest refugee camp in very flimsy, makeshift shelters made of bamboo and tarpaulin. and the bangladesh government doesn�*t allow them to leave those refugee camps.

and there are real concerns in the camps about how safe people will be. and here and in the camps, another concern isn�*tjust that the storm may pass through this area, but it�*s also the aftermath, flash flooding and also landslides. and many aid agencies have already been preparing for what they fear could be a humanitarian crisis as well in the aftermath. and lets bring you live pictures from liverpool — where the world�*s biggest song contest — eurovision — is about to start. you can see the fans there in the city. we are 35 minutes away and just to remind you that the uk are hosting on behalf of ukraine who won last year but are unable to host the song

contest for obvious reasons, the invasion by rush of ukraine. you can see this on the bbc website. hello there. although parts of east and south—east england remain grey and quite cool all day, much of the country had a very fine and sunny start to the weekend. part two of the weekend looks quite mixed. there will be some sunshine around, particularly in wales and england. but scotland and northern ireland will start to see this weather front moving in off the atlantic, bringing outbreaks of cloud and rain, and a drop in temperature. but high pressure will bring us a fine evening and night. largely clear skies for many, but that low grey cloud across the east will start to roll back westwards again for much of eastern england and the midlands. western scotland and northern ireland will be so, quite a mixture of temperatures. obviously, quite cool under clear skies. but generally, for most, 6 to 8 degrees. sunday then, we start off with some sunshine around. that grey weather across the east

of england should tend to improve. the clouds burning back to the coast. one or two showers into the afternoon through the midlands. this weather front will start to move out of scotland and northern ireland. it brightens up later in the day with a few showers that will feel much cooler for scotland and northern ireland. low to mid—teens. sunny spells across parts of england and wales. again, we could be up to 21 degrees. sunday night that weather front weakens, it continues to push eastward, bringing cloud, some patchy rain, clearer skies, one or two blustery showers across the north and west of scotland but under those clear skies, with this cool air it is going to be a chilly night to come here. for south—eastern areas where we have the weather front, the cloud and rain generally seven to 10 degrees. that weather front clears away eventually and we see some further showers around the edge of this area of high pressure which will bring us north, north—westerly winds. showers for northern scotland, northern and eastern england, some of these running down to east anglia and south—east into the afternoon.

the best of the sunshine towards the south and west. we could be up to 15 degrees here but you will see it as a much cooler day across the board. ranging between ten and 13 celsius. that is below par for this time in may. the cool air hangs around through tuesday and again into wednesday, particularly towards northern and eastern areas but very slowly we we�*ll start to see those yellow—orange colours returning. so it will start quite chilly through the week with some showers around but temperatures will recover towards the end of the week and because it is higher pressure nearby, it should stay mostly dry.

this is bbc news. the headlines: ukraine�*s president zelensky has had a private audience with pope francis. after the forty—minute meeting — the vatican said the pope had assured the president of his constant prayer and continuous invocation to the lord for peace. turkey�*s president — recep erdogan — has addressed supporters on the last day of campaigning before sunday�*s election. he accused his opponent of planning to sanction russia on the orders of america. mr erdogan�*s party has been in power for more than twenty years. it�*s only around half an hour now until the final of the eurovision song contest gets underway.

the event is taking place in the english city of liverpool.