Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican following the conclusion of the inauguration mass. During this meeting, the Ukrainian leader expressed his gratitude for the support and hope for peace that the pontiff embodies.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Vatican Support and the Prospect of Diplomatic Negotiations
«For millions of people around the world, the pontiff is a symbol of hope for peace. The authority and voice of the Holy See can play an important role in ending this war. We thank the Vatican for its willingness to serve as a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. We are ready for dialogue in any format for the sake of real results. Thank you for supporting Ukraine and for your clear voice in defense of a just and lasting peace,» Zelensky emphasized in his statement on Telegram.
Upcoming Diplomatic Meetings and Calls for Peace
It was previously reported that Pope Leo XIV plans to meet with the President of Ukraine during a visit scheduled for May 18, although the exact time has not yet been announced. In his prayer at the end of the mass, the pontiff called for a just and lasting peace for «martyr Ukraine,» mentioning the war between Russia and Ukraine.
On May 16, the Vatican’s chief diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, stated that Pope Leo XIV aims to offer the Vatican as a neutral venue for peace negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
On May 12, Zelensky reported his first phone conversation with the pope, during which he invited the pontiff to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. In his Sunday sermon, Leo XIV called for a swift establishment of peace in the country, mentioning those nations suffering from war.