Pope Leo XIV received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an audience Dec. 9 at Castel Gandolfo, where the two discussed the war in Ukraine.
The Holy See Press Office stated Dec. 9 that in the discussion, which it described as “cordial,” Pope Leo “reiterated the need for the continuation of dialogue and expressed his urgent desire that the current diplomatic initiatives bring about a just and lasting peace.”
The president and the Pope also spoke about questions regarding prisoners of war and the importance of securing the return of Ukrainian children to their families.
According to a Dec. 9 Vatican News report, Zelenskyy told journalists after the meeting that he was grateful for the audience and for the Pope’s support especially regarding the Ukrainian children’s return.
Zelenskyy stated in a Dec. 9 X post that he also invited the Pope to visit Ukraine, saying it “would be a powerful signal of support for our people.”
Zelenskyy said that during the audience he also thanked Pope Leo for the ongoing prayers for Ukraine and its citizens and for the Pontiff’s “calls for a just peace.” In the X post, he expressed gratitude for the Holy See’s “ongoing humanitarian assistance and the readiness to expand humanitarian missions.”
The president said he also told Pope Leo “about diplomatic efforts with the United States to achieve peace. We discussed further actions and the Vatican’s mediation aimed at returning our children abducted by Russia.”
The White House Office of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump issued a statement Dec. 4 announcing that seven more children have been reunited with their families in Ukraine and noted that she has personally supported the initiative.
“I commend the leadership and persistent diplomacy of Russia and Ukraine in the pursuit of the reunification of children and families,” the First Lady said. “Their bridge-building has created a tangible collaborative environment — an anchor for optimism. This cooperation will continue to drive the process forward through the next phase.”
“In close partnership, my representative and I have provided humanitarian support from the United States to enhance the reunification initiative’s outcome,” she added. “My hope is that, ultimately, our collective efforts will lead to broader regional stability.”
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This is not the first time Pope Leo has received Zelenskyy at Castel Gandolfo; the Pontiff did so in July, as he continued to make public calls for peace in Ukraine.
Shortly after his election to the pontificate in May, Pope Leo also had a phone conversation with Zelenskyy about the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelenskyy extended an invitation to Pope Leo to come to Ukraine then as well, saying in a May 12 statement, “Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people.”
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