President Volodymyr Zelensky held his first conversation with newly elected Pope Leo XIV, calling it “very warm and truly substantive.”
Leo XIV was elected pontiff on Thursday, becoming the first American in history to hold the position following the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, in late April.
“I thanked him for supporting Ukraine and all our people. We greatly appreciate His Holiness’ words about the need for a just and lasting peace for our country and the release of prisoners,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
He said they discussed the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia.
“Ukraine is counting on the Vatican’s assistance in returning them home, to their families,” Zelensky said.
The President also briefed the Pope on Ukraine’s recent agreement with its partners, calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire beginning Monday, May 12, lasting at least 30 days. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for further negotiations “in any format, including direct talks.”
“Ukraine wants to end this war and is doing everything possible for that. We expect appropriate steps from Russia,” Zelensky added.
He also invited the pontiff to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine.
“Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers, to all our people,” he said.
The two agreed to stay in contact and plan a personal meeting in the near future.
Pope Leo XIV called for a “just and lasting” peace in Ukraine during his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, delivered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
“I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said, according to Vatican News.
The new pope went on to proclaim, “Never again war!” and urged that “every effort [be] made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible.”
His remarks echoed the language often used by Ukrainian officials and marked a noticeably firmer tone on Russia’s invasion than Pope Francis, who has faced criticism for what many viewed as a lukewarm stance on the conflict.
In 2022, while still a bishop, Pope Leo XIV referred to Russia’s full-scale invasion as a “real imperialist invasion” during an interview with Peruvian media.