Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky attends a press conference after meeting EU leaders in
Kyiv (AFP or licensors)
Pope Leo XIV speaks by phone with Ukraine's President
Zelensky
Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have
spoken by phone following the Pope's appeal "that every effort be
made" for long and lasting peace in Ukraine and that all children be
returned to their families.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Leo XIV and Ukraine's President Zelensky have spoken by
phone, according to the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni.
The phone call follows the Pope's appeal for peace in
Ukraine during his Regina
Caeli address from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica on
Sunday afternoon.
Appeal for true, just and lasting peace for beloved
Ukrainian people
During his remarks following the midday Easter prayer, he
said, “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,”
urging that "every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace
as soon as possible."
"May all prisoners be freed, and may the children be
returned to their families," he said.
The Pope had recalled that on 8 May, “the immense tragedy of
the Second World War" came to an end 80 years earlier, "after causing
60 million deaths.”
He then appealed that there never again be war, making
specific appeals for Ukraine, Gaza, and on the India-Pakistan border.
President Zelensky: 'We deeply value his words'
Following the conversation with the Pope, President Zelensky
posted on X about his first conversation with Pope Leo XIV, saying he
thanked the Pope for his support of Ukraine.
"We deeply value his words about the need to achieve a
just and lasting peace for our country and the release of prisoners," said
the Ukrainian President, adding they also discussed "the thousands of
Ukrainian children deported by Russia."
Ukraine, the President underscored, "counts on the
Vatican’s assistance in bringing them home to their families."
In addition, he said he informed the Pope about "the
agreement between Ukraine and our partners that, starting today, a full and
unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days must begin."
Wanting the war to end
The President added that he reaffirmed "Ukraine’s
readiness for further negotiations in any format, including direct talks."
In this spirit, he said, "Ukraine wants to end this war
and is doing everything to achieve that," and that Ukraine "awaits
similar steps from Russia."
President Zelensky noted he has invited Pope Leo XIV to make
an Apostolic Journey to Ukraine, saying such a visit "would bring real
hope to all believers and to all our people."
"We agreed to stay in contact and plan an in-person
meeting in the near future," he said.
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