Pope Leo XIV met the President of Ukraine in Castel Gandolfo
On 9 December, Pope Leo XIV met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his residence in Castel Gandolfo. According to the Holy See Press Office, the meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere and was devoted to the topic of the war in Ukraine. This was reported by The Public with reference to the Holy See Press Office.
The Holy Father emphasised the importance of continuing dialogue and expressed his fervent desire that the current diplomatic initiatives would lead to a just and lasting peace. The issue of prisoners of war was raised separately, as well as the need to return deported Ukrainian children to their families.
This is Zelensky's second audience at Castel Gandolfo since their July meeting and the third contact between the Pope and the President of Ukraine since the beginning of Leo XIV's pontificate.
