Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently held a phone conversation amid continued appeals from the Vatican for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed the exchange shortly after Pope Leo issued a public appeal from St. Peter’s Basilica May 11, where he expressed deep concern for Ukraine’s suffering and urged concrete action to end the war, Vatican News reported.
As reported by CatholicVote, the Pope said during the Regina Coeli, “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. Let everything possible be done to reach an authentic, just and lasting peace as soon as possible. May the prisoners be freed and may the children return to their families.”
Following their phone call, President Zelenskyy took to social media to express gratitude for what he described as a “very warm and truly substantive” conversation.
“We deeply value his words about the need to achieve a just and lasting peace for our country,” Zelenskyy wrote, adding that the discussion included the plight of thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russian forces. He noted that Ukraine looks to the Vatican for help in returning them to their families.
Zelenskyy also informed the Holy Father of a newly brokered ceasefire agreement, effective immediately and expected to last at least 30 days. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s willingness to continue peace talks “in any format,” emphasizing the nation’s commitment to ending the war and its readiness for diplomatic dialogue.
Extending an invitation to Pope Leo, Zelenskyy proposed an apostolic visit to Ukraine.
“Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people,” he said.
The president added that he and the new pope plan to remain in touch and are looking to arrange an in-person meeting in the near future.