Zelensky invites Pope Leo XIV for peace talks in Ukraine
"I spoke with Pope Leo XIV. It was our first conversation, but already a very warm and truly substantive one," reported Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a post on the X platform on Monday.
What do you need to know?
- During Thursday's conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost from the USA was elected as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV.
- Volodymyr Zelensky announced his conversation with the pope in a post on the X platform on Monday.
- According to the Ukrainian president, he invited Leo XIV to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine.
Zelensky, sharing information about his first conversation with the pope, also wrote that he "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," added the Ukrainian president in a social media post.
Zelensky stated that the conversation also covered the issue of "thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia." He added, "Ukraine counts on the Vatican’s assistance in bringing them home to their families."
Zelensky spoke with the pope. He invited him to Ukraine
The Ukrainian leader informed the pope about the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. "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," Zelensky conveyed.
"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," he added, emphasising that both he and the pope "agreed to stay in contact and plan in-person meeting in the near future."
