The meeting between Pope Leo The audience took place at the papal residence, about 30 km from Rome, and lasted about an hour, according to the Vatican.
In a statement, the Holy See said the pontiff “reiterated the need for continued dialogue” and expressed the “urgent desire” that ongoing diplomatic initiatives “result in a just and lasting peace.”
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The pope also addressed the most sensitive humanitarian issues of the conflict, including the situation of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia – an issue on which the Vatican plays the role of mediator.
At the end of the meeting, Leo XIV wished Zelensky “Merry Christmas”. The president responded with a smile: “I hope so.” »
The cordial atmosphere reinforced the tone of closeness between kyiv and the Vatican, already manifested in July, when the two also met in Castel Gandolfo during the Conference for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. On this occasion, they discussed humanitarian aid and the urgency of moving towards a peace agreement.
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Tuesday’s discussions, however, took place in a turbulent diplomatic context. Zelensky has an agenda with European leaders to try to balance his position on a peace plan backed by the United States and seen by Ukraine’s allies as excessively favorable to Moscow.
Shortly before the audience with Zelensky, the pope sent an indirect message to US President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists, Leo XIV said he was “concerned” about the peace plan drawn up by Washington and said the proposal could weaken “a very important alliance between Europe and the United States.”
According to the pontiff, the new North American national security strategy represents “a major change” in the transatlantic relationship and indicates an attempt to “dismantle” a cooperation which, for him, must remain solid.
The document criticized European governments for harboring “unrealistic expectations” about the war, placing some of the blame on them for obstacles to negotiations.
After the audience with the pope, Zelensky traveled to Rome, where he will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Ukrainian president is trying to consolidate European support for a diplomatic path that does not involve territorial cessions to Russia.
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