Zelenskyy Meets Pope Leo XIV

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine held a significant meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo on December 9, 2025. The Ukrainian leader expressed gratitude towards the Pope for his persistent prayers for Ukraine and its people, and for advocating a just peace amidst ongoing conflicts.

During the audience, President Zelenskyy updated Pope Leo XIV on Ukraine’s diplomatic engagements with the United States, focusing on securing a dignified and sustainable peace. He emphasized the importance of continued papal support for these coordinated peace efforts. Discussions also covered the Vatican’s role in facilitating the return of Ukrainian children abducted amid hostilities, highlighting the Pontiff’s support for the youth and the expansion of humanitarian missions by the Holy See, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

In a gesture underscoring the deepening ties between Ukraine and the Vatican, President Zelenskyy extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV for an apostolic visit to Ukraine, which could further solidify international support and highlight the humanitarian issues faced by the nation.