Ukraine "deeply appreciates" the humanitarian support of Pope Leo XIV. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a meeting between the two at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, on Tuesday, 9 December.
The Holy See Press Office described the meeting between Pope Leo and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as cordial, noting that discussions focused primarily on the war in Ukraine.
During their talks, the Pope emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and reiterated his “urgent hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts will lead to a just and lasting peace.”
His comments echoed Zelenskyy's frequent demands for a "just" peace as the Ukrainian leader tries to ensure that any agreement to end Russia's war in Ukraine is balanced and does not overly favour Moscow.
The two leaders also addressed the issue of prisoners of war and stressed the need to ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children to their families.
Zelenskyy, who arrived in Italy following talks in London on Monday (8 December), expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for his “constant prayers for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, as well as for his calls for a just peace.”
He also extended an invitation for the pontiff to visit Ukraine.
“I briefed the Pope on diplomatic efforts with the United States to achieve peace,” President Zelenskyy wrote on the platform X.
“We discussed further actions and the Vatican’s mediation aimed at securing the return of our children abducted by Russia,” he added.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome later in the day.
His meetings with both the Pope and Meloni come amid ongoing efforts, supported by European allies, to counterbalance a U.S.-backed draft peace plan with Russia that is widely viewed as favorable to Moscow.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investi...
The suspension of two major grain terminals in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk could increase pressure on Kazakhstan’s agricult...
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for talks focused on Gaza, Palestinian statehood and regional security.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment