Zelenskyy invites Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with Pope Leo XIV, during which he invited him to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine.
"I spoke with Pope Leo XIV. It was our 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," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday.
According to the president, he discussed with the Pope the return of children deported by Russia. "Ukraine counts on the Vatican’s assistance in bringing them home to their families," Zelenskyy added.
In addition, he also informed about the agreement between Ukraine and its partners that a full, unconditional ceasefire should begin today for at least 30 days. Zelenskyy also confirmed Ukraine's readiness for further negotiations in any format, including direct talks.
"Ukraine wants to end this war and is doing everything to achieve that. We now await similar steps from Russia," the president stressed.
"I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people," Zelenskyy added.
He and Pope Leo XIV agreed to maintain contact and plan a personal meeting in the near future.
