Today, July 9, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo near Rome.
This was reported by the Vatican on its website.
Pope Leo XIV expressed his readiness to receive representatives of Ukraine and Russia for talks in the Vatican. The statement said that during the conversation, the parties discussed “the urgent need for a just and lasting peace.”
After the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Pope for his support, both spiritual and practical. During the meeting, the return of children abducted by Russia to Ukraine was discussed.
The President of Ukraine noted the common desire for peace and the end of the war and emphasized that Ukraine counts on the role of the Vatican in facilitating dialogue at the highest level.
The meeting took place as part of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Italy. The President of Ukraine is also planning to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and U.S. Special Representative Keith Kellogg during the Ukraine Recovery Conference scheduled for July 10-11.