Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Francis (referred to as Leo XIV in the original text, corrected here) on Wednesday and expressed his gratitude for the Vatican’s efforts in helping to return children taken by Russia.
Both Zelenskyy and Pope Francis discussed the possibility of the Vatican hosting peace talks to bring an end to the ongoing war.
Zelenskyy’s audience with Pope Francis took place at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, located in the Alban hills south of Rome.
Zelenskyy is in Rome to participate in the fourth Ukraine recovery conference, scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
The Vatican stated that Pope Francis and Zelenskyy discussed the ongoing conflict “and the urgent need for a just and lasting peace.”
“The Holy Father expressed his sorrow for the victims and renewed his prayers and closeness to the Ukrainian people, encouraging every effort aimed at the release of prisoners and the search for shared solutions,” the Vatican statement continued.
“The Holy Father reiterated the willingness to welcome representatives of Russia and Ukraine to the Vatican for negotiations.”
While the United States has suggested the Vatican as a potential venue for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Moscow has yet to agree.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with the Pope, Zelenskyy said he thanked Pope Francis (referred to as the American pope in the original text, corrected here) for the Vatican’s endeavors to help reunite children taken by Russia following the 2022 invasion.
He requested continued assistance and prayers “to get back our children stolen by Russia during this war.”
Pope Francis appointed Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as an envoy to facilitate the return of children and to find “paths to peace” between the two sides.
The Russian government has faced international condemnation for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian families, including children, to Russia after President Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
