Zelenskyy talks to Pope Leo XIV and invites him to Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had his first telephone conversation with Pope Leo XIV and invited the pontiff to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine announced this on Monday, 12 May.

According to the president, such a visit «would bring real hope for all believers, for all our people». He noted that they agreed to keep in touch and plan a personal meeting in the near future.

«We greatly appreciate His Holiness' words about the need to achieve a just and lasting peace for our country and the release of prisoners. We talked about the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia. Ukraine is counting on the Vatican's assistance in returning them home to their families,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote.

According to the President, he also informed the Pope that a full, unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days should begin on 12 May, and reaffirmed Ukraine's readiness for further negotiations «in any format, including direct talks, which we have repeatedly emphasised».

«Ukraine wants to end this war and is doing everything to do so. We expect Russia to take appropriate steps»,» the President of Ukraine added.

The day before, Pope Leo XIV in his first Sunday blessing called for «a speedy real peace» in Ukraine.