Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Monday, invited the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine during their first phone call.
Zelensky also appreciated the pontiff for advocating peace in Ukraine during his first Sunday address.
“I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers, to all our people,” Zelensky said in a post on social media.
Zelensky also revealed that they discussed “the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia”, adding that Kyiv was counting on the Vatican’s help in returning them home.
“No more war!” The Pope had proclaimed from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica where thousands gathered to hear his first prayer on Sunday.
He appealed for a “genuine, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, echoing his predecessor, Francis.
Francis, who never visited Ukraine, had sparked frustration through his failure to condemn Russia for the invasion and calling for Ukraine to raise the “white flag”.
Kyiv, however, had recognised the Vatican’s efforts in mediating prisoner exchanges and the return of children taken to Russia from occupied parts of Ukraine.
Zelensky also said that he had told the pope about a joint ceasefire offer by Ukraine and its allies, and that the two had agreed to “plan an in-person meeting in the near future”.