In a significant gesture of diplomatic and moral support, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a private audience on Tuesday afternoon at Castel Gandolfo, the papal residence outside Rome. The high-level meeting focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine and explored pathways toward peace through sustained dialogue and humanitarian efforts.
According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the conversation centered on finding a just and lasting resolution to the conflict, which has caused immense suffering across Ukraine. Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow for the countless lives lost and offered his prayers and spiritual closeness to the Ukrainian people.
During the meeting, the Pope emphasized the importance of initiatives aimed at the release of prisoners of war and the urgent recovery of Ukrainian children who have been separated from their families — many of whom were taken to Russia amidst the ongoing hostilities.
He reiterated the Vatican’s readiness to serve as a neutral ground for dialogue, inviting both Ukrainian and Russian representatives to engage in negotiations under its auspices.
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After the private audience, President Zelensky addressed journalists briefly, sharing his appreciation for the Pope’s hospitality and support. “I’m very happy for His Holiness — for this meeting, for hosting us,” Zelensky said in English.
He particularly thanked the Vatican for its advocacy on behalf of Ukrainian children. “This is a very important question. We spoke about it,” he said, underscoring the urgent need to reunite these children with their families.
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President Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s determination to end the war and highlighted the critical role the Vatican could play in facilitating peace. “Of course we want peace, we want the war to be finished,” he said. “We very much count on the Vatican and His Holiness to help provide a place for a high-level meeting of leaders to end this war.”
The meeting marks a renewed call from the Vatican for reconciliation and a reminder of the human toll of the war — while signaling the Holy See’s continued commitment to humanitarian diplomacy and peacebuilding in one of the world’s most pressing conflicts.
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