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.
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U.S. President Donald Trump forcefully criticised Pope Leo XIV late on Sunday in an unusually direct attack on the leader of the global Catholic Church, triggering a backlash from religious leaders and believers worldwide.
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