The Pope expressed his condolences regarding Ukraine’s suffering, and Zelensky thanked him for his support
On Saturday, June 28, the world witnessed an important statement from Pope Leo XIV, in which he directly addressed the Ukrainian people, expressing sympathy and support during these difficult times. This statement became one of the first official messages from the Holy See regarding the situation in Ukraine following Russia's large-scale aggression, and it prompted a swift and emotional response from Ukrainian leadership. The official social media page of the Holy See posted a heartfelt and emotional message, written in Ukrainian, in which Leo XIV conveyed his closeness to the Ukrainian people, who are enduring hardships due to the war. The message read: "I want to express my closeness to suffering Ukraine, to children, youth, the elderly, and especially to the families mourning their loved ones. I share your pain for the prisoners and victims of this senseless war." The pope’s words emphasized his heartfelt sympathy for Ukrainians suffering from destruction, pain, and loss caused by aggression. Sources from the Vatican reported that this publication was the Pope’s first public statement regarding Ukraine after his initial conversation with the Russian leader in early June. During that conversation, Leo XIV called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to make a “gesture towards peace,” highlighting the importance of stopping the bloodshed. The Pope personally proposed the Vatican as a neutral platform for potential negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow to find a path toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The idea was supported by Ukrainian authorities, European countries, and the United States, all seeing it as an opportunity to end the war. However, Moscow refused to consider further negotiations based on such groundwork. In response to the Pope’s statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed deep gratitude to the Holy Father for his prayers and sincere condolences. In his comment, Zelensky emphasized that support from international leaders is especially important for the Ukrainian people during this difficult time. He called on the world to unite efforts to stop Russian aggression, return all prisoners, and establish a just peace. "Together, we must stop this reckless Russian aggression and protect innocent lives. A just peace is needed. We will also be deeply grateful for your help in bringing back all our people — adults and children — who are held in Russian captivity against their will," his message stated. Overall, the Pope’s remarks and the Ukrainian leadership’s reaction serve as another indication that the international community is gradually uniting around the idea of supporting Ukraine and seeking ways to peacefully resolve the conflict. The Vatican remains an active mediator in diplomatic efforts, striving to convey to both sides the urgency of ending the bloodshed and finding compromise solutions. Meanwhile, the rejection by Moscow of the idea to use the Vatican as a venue for negotiations further underscores the complexity of the situation and the need for maximum caution in diplomatic endeavors. At a time when Ukrainians face daily trials and losses, the words of the Pope and the actions of global leaders play a vital role in maintaining morale. The Ukrainian people hope that diplomatic efforts and international support will help to end the war sooner and restore trust in the global order, which has traditionally been grounded in the values of peace and humanity.