Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine, following their first phone conversation on May 12, 2025. During the call, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the Pope’s support for peace in Ukraine and discussed the plight of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. He emphasized that an apostolic visit from the Pope would bring hope to all believers and the Ukrainian people.
The conversation also touched on broader diplomatic efforts, including a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which has yet to be accepted by Moscow. Pope Leo XIV, in his first Sunday address, expressed concern that World War III may have already begun “in pieces” and called for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
This dialogue underscores Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to garner international support and address humanitarian concerns arising from the conflict.