Papa Leo XIV receives Zelenski in Castel Gandolfo

Pope Leo XIV interrupted his summer rest in Castel Gandolfo to receive on Monday the president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski.

This has been his second meeting, after the greeting they exchanged in the Vatican on May 18, on the occasion of the Pontificate’s opening mass.

As reported by the Holy See in an official statement, both leaders talked about the ongoing conflict and “the urgency of touring fair and durable peace paths.”

During the meeting, held behind closed doors, the importance of the dialogue “as a privileged route to end hostilities” was reiterated.

The Pope also expressed his deep pain for the victims of war and renewed his spiritual closeness with the Ukrainian people, encouraging all efforts aimed at the liberation of prisoners and the search for shared solutions.

Also, Leo XIV reaffirmed the availability of the Holy See to host in the Vatican representatives of Russia and Ukraine with a view to possible peace negotiations.

The audience lasted about 30 minutes and later both looked out to the balcony of Castel Gandolfo, as can be seen in the images disseminated by the Vatican.

For his part, Zelenski expressed through his social network profile X his gratitude for the meeting and for “a very substantial conversation” with the Holy Father. “We value all support and every prayer for peace in Ukraine,” he added.

Regarding the proposal to hold leaders meetings in the Vatican, he confirmed that “it remains open and is totally possible, with the aim of stopping the Russian aggression and achieving a stable, lasting and authentic peace.”

However, he regretted that, at present, “Moscow only continues to reject this proposal, as it has done with all other peace initiatives.”

“We will continue to strengthen global solidarity so that diplomacy can still be successful,” he said below.

He also said that he thanked Pope León especially for his support for Ukrainian children, “in particular to those who have been returned from Russian captivity.”

“Ukrainian children now have the opportunity to rehabilitate and rest in Italy, and that hospitality and sincerity are extremely important. Today we also talk about the continuous efforts of the Vatican to help return Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia,” he said.

He also explained that he also spoke with the Pontiff about the “deep respect that Ukrainian society has for Andrey Sheptytsky: its actions, including the rescue of Jews during World War II and its defense of the Christian faith.”

Archbishop Andrey Sheptysky was a leader of the Ukraine Greco-Catholic Church from 1900 to 1944 and who at the risk of his own life saved hundreds of Jews during the Nazi occupation and worked for the unity of Christians.

“We hope that the contribution and merits of the Sheptytsky metropolite receive the recognition they deserve,” said the president.

Zelenski’s visit to Rome is part of the IV International Meeting on the reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be held in the Italian capital on July 10 and 11.

It is a series of international conferences aimed at mobilizing diplomatic, financial, strategic and political support for the recovery of the country, after the Russian invasion initiated in February 2022.

The meeting will be inaugurated tomorrow by Zelenski and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. This appointment brings together heads of state and government from 77 countries already a total of 1,800 attendees, including representatives of 500 companies.

After his private audience with the Holy Father, the Ukrainian ruler will be received this afternoon at the Palacio del Quirinal by the Head of the Italian State, Sergio Mattarella.