Advertisement
Volodymyr Zelensky discusses Ukraine war with Pope Francis at the Vatican
- In a written statement, the Vatican said the two men spoke about Ukraine’s ‘humanitarian and political situation provoked by the war going on’
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who met Zelensky earlier in the day, renewed her pledge to champion Ukraine’s EU ambitions
Reading Time:5 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, saying it was a great honour to meet the pontiff, who has previously offered to do what he can to try to end the war launched by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago.
Advertisement
Zelensky held his hand on his heart as the pope, using a cane, came to greet him before ushering the Ukrainian into a papal studio near the Vatican’s audience call. “Thank you for your visit,’’ Francis said, as their 40-minute-long meeting began.
In a written statement, the Vatican said the two men spoke about Ukraine’s “humanitarian and political situation provoked by the war going on.’’
“The pope assured his constant prayer, paid witness to by his many public appeals and by his continued invoking of the Lord for peace, since February of last year,’’ the Vatican said, a reference to the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 by Russia’s military.
“Both agreed on the need to continue humanitarian efforts” to help the population. “The pope underlined in particular the urgent need for ‘humanitarian gestures’ toward the most fragile persons, innocent victims of the conflict,” the statement said.
Advertisement
Last month, Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, met Francis at the Vatican and said he asked the pontiff to help Ukraine get back children illegally taken to Russia during the invasion.
Saturday’s communique from the Vatican made no mention of that.
Advertisement