Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his gratitude for the Vatican’s support of Ukraine and extended an invitation to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV to visit the country.
This came during Zelensky’s first phone call with the new Pope, as announced by the Ukrainian president on social media on Monday.
Zelensky said, “I spoke with Pope Leo XIV. It was our first conversation, but already a very friendly and substantive one.”
Zelensky thanked the Pope for “his support for Ukraine and all its people,” emphasizing the Ukrainian people's appreciation for the Pope’s calls for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and the release of prisoners, according to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.
During the call, Zelensky informed the Pope that Ukraine and its partners had agreed to a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days starting today.
He also reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for further negotiations “in any format,” including direct talks, which he said Ukraine has consistently supported.
“Ukraine wants to end this war and is doing everything possible to achieve that,” Zelensky added. “We now await similar steps from Russia.”
He also invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine, stressing that “such a visit would bring real hope to all our people.”
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