Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed he spoke with Pope Leo XIV and invited him to visit Ukraine. Source: Crux.
In his Regina Coeli address on Sunday, Pope Leo said he carried “in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people.”
“May everything possible be done to reach an authentic, just and lasting peace, as soon as possible. Let all the prisoners be freed and the children return to their own families,” Leo said.
In a message on social media platform X on Monday, Mr Zelenskyy mentioned it was their first conversation, “but already a very warm and truly substantive one.”
“I thanked His Holiness for his support of Ukraine and all our people. We deeply value his words about the need to achieve a just and lasting peace for our country and the release of prisoners.
“We also discussed the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia. Ukraine counts on the Vatican’s assistance in bringing them home to their families,” Mr Zelenskyy added.
“I informed the Pope about the agreement between Ukraine and our partners that, starting today, a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days must begin.
“I also reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for further negotiations in any format, including direct talks — a position we have repeatedly emphasised. Ukraine wants to end this war and is doing everything to achieve that. We now await similar steps from Russia.”
Mr Zelenskyy also announced he invited Pope Leo to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine.
“Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people,” he said.
The Ukrainian President also said the two men agreed to stay in contact and plan a face-to-face meeting in the near future.
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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy speaks to Pope Leo XIV (Charles Collins, Crux)
