President Volodymyr Zelensky recently met with the new Pope Francis at the Vatican during an important ceremony following his inaugural mass
According to the Ukrainian leader, this meeting demonstrated Ukraine’s openness to dialogue and the search for peaceful solutions to the long-standing conflict that has affected the region and impacted the lives of millions of people. After the ceremony, Zelensky expressed sincere gratitude to the Holy See for its willingness to serve as a platform for direct communication between Ukraine and Russia. “We very much appreciate this support and are genuinely thankful to the Vatican for opening the opportunity to hold negotiations in any format,” the president stated in his social media post on X (formerly Twitter), which he uses for communication with the global community. In conversations with journalists and through messages to his supporters online, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the authority and voice of the Holy See can play an important role in seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. According to him, Ukraine is ready for any negotiations and in any format to achieve genuine and lasting peace. Zelensky noted that this meeting and the Vatican’s initiative are a special signal of hope for millions around the world who strive for peace and stability in the region. The support and active stance of the Roman Catholic Church create potential for steering dialogue back onto a civilized and pragmatic path. This meeting marked another step in the Ukrainian president’s diplomatic multilateral activity aimed at exploring new formats and platforms for negotiations. Considering the role of the Vatican as a neutral and influential institution in international affairs, this initiative could gain significant resonance and become an important milestone on the path toward peace in Ukraine. During his interactions with spiritual leaders and representatives of the global community, Zelensky highlighted the importance of the Vatican’s efforts to facilitate reaching a compromise and resolving the conflict. At the same time, he assured that Ukraine remains open to constructive dialogue and is willing to continue exploring ways to achieve peace through all available diplomatic means. Overall, this meeting stands as a testament to the growing international recognition and active support for Ukraine’s position, as well as confirmation that in such challenging times it is crucial to know that reliable partners and a balanced diplomatic approach are available to help overcome the crisis and restore peace to Ukrainian soil.