Zelensky discusses with Pope Vatican's role in peace talks

Volodymyr Zelensky with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. Photo: AP Photo

On July 9, 2025, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, held talks with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. The central topics of the meeting were the possible involvement of the Holy See in peace initiatives and humanitarian issues related to the war in Ukraine. This was reported by the Associated Press.

Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Pope for his "humanitarian efforts" and once again raised the issue of the removal of Ukrainian children from Russia. "I asked His Holiness to pray for Ukrainian children, for their return home," the President noted. He added that it is important for Ukraine to see support "in the cause of justice and peace."

"Of course, we want peace, we want the war to end. We are very hopeful that the Vatican and His Holiness will help provide a venue for high-level leaders to meet and put an end to this war," Zelensky said in an address to journalists after the meeting.

Pope Leo, in turn, stated the Vatican's readiness "to provide a neutral platform for dialogue" if both sides of the conflict express the corresponding consent. However, the authorities of both countries have not yet officially declared their readiness for such negotiations.

According to the press service of the Holy See, humanitarian issues remain at the center of the mission of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who has previously visited both Moscow and Kyiv. Nevertheless, specific results of this diplomacy have not yet been disclosed.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote about the pontiff's words that while some people die in wars, others profit from them.

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