Pope Leo XIV received today, May 18, after the inauguration ceremony in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelensky.
Previously, at the inauguration, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, spoke about "martyr's Ukraine" and "waiting for negotiations on a just and lasting peace."
Zelensky emphasized on the X network that for millions of people around the world, the pope is "a symbol of hope for peace." "The authority and voice of the Holy See can play an important role in ending this war," he wrote.
He thanked the Vatican for its readiness to serve as a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and said that Kiev is ready for dialogue "in any format for tangible results."
"Every country deserves to live in peace and security," Zelensky said and expressed hope that "prayers for just peace and a dignified life of all people will be answered."
Leo XIV's predecessor, Pope Francis, tirelessly advocated for peace in Ukraine.
Source: Today