Zelensky assures Pope Leo of his readiness for direct talks with Russia
Volodymyr Zelensky wants to end the war. Photo: AP
On May 12, 2025, Volodymyr Zelensky reported on his official Telegram channel that he had held a phone conversation with the new Pope, Leo XIV. According to him, the conversation was "very warm and truly substantive."
Zelensky "informed" the Pope about Ukraine's agreement with its partners that "starting today, a complete, unconditional ceasefire should begin for at least 30 days."
He also "confirmed his readiness for further negotiations in any format, including direct talks."
He assured that "Ukraine wants to end this war and is doing everything for it. We expect corresponding steps from Russia."
Additionally, Zelensky invited Pope Leo to "make an apostolic visit to Ukraine."
"Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers, to all our people," Zelensky underscored, adding that there was an agreement for a "personal meeting in the near future."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Presidential Office ruled out the Vatican's involvement in mediation with Russia due to Pope Francis's pro-Russian stance.
Read also
In Nikopol, Transfiguration Cathedral damaged by shelling
In Nikopol, a shell damaged the Cathedral of the Transfiguration and the parish library.
TRC abducts UOC archpriest from St. Michael’s Church in Horodyshche
In Horodyshche, Cherkasy Region, staff of the Territorial Center of Recruitment mobilized the rector of a UOC parish and sent him to one of the combat brigades.
Online users mock Education Ministry’s ignorance on church matters
The Ministry of Education claimed that in the 1690s the Ukrainian language was pushed out of liturgical use.
Ukraine is becoming a nation of widows and orphans – CNN
Birthrates have fallen below one child per woman, millions are fleeing abroad, and thousands of children are being left without parents – the war is reshaping an entire nation.
OCU "bishop" bans a “priest” for attempting to transfer to another eparchy
In Rivne Region, a parish of the OCU’s Rivne–Volyn Eparchy voted to move to the Rivne Eparchy.
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."