The Roman Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a post on Telegram after the meeting, President Zelensky thanked the new Catholic leader for his “support for Ukraine” and “clear voice in defence of a just and lasting peace.”
Pope Leo XIV, in an address to thousands in St Peter’s Square, highlighted concerns about the war in Ukraine, even as he warned against marginalisation of the poor and autocracy.
Zelensky, US Vice President JD Vance, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among the dignitaries in the audience at St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Leo XIV was pictured shaking hands with Zelensky, who also thanked the Vatican for “its readiness to become a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.”
The Pontiff has offered the Vatican as a venue for possible peace talks after Russian President Vladimir Putin turned down Zelensky’s offer to meet face-to-face in Turkey for negotiations.
