Yesterday, Pope Leone XIV received Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Vatican at the residence of Castel Gandolfo and held discussions on the ongoing war in the Ukraine. In its statement, the Vatican said that it is also willing to host Russian representatives to discuss an end to the war.
Pope Leone XIV has taken a more supportive stance of Ukraine compared to his predecessor Pope Francis, and has taken several steps to show his support. On June 28th Pope Leo tweeted that expressing his “closeness to martyred Ukraine” and delivered a message of hope that life will eventually triumph over death. On the following day, the Pope hosted Ukrainian pilgrims at Saint Peter’s Basilica and held Divine Liturgy with the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Beatitude Sviatoslav during which prayers were recited in the Ukrainian language. During his prayers, the Pope reaffirmed his support to the Ukrainian victims of war.
Following the Pope’s comments and the event at Saint Peter Basilica’s, Russian State propogandists were quick to attack the Pope for taking Ukraine’s side.
President Zelensky was also in Rome for the International Conference on the Reconstruction. President Trump’s Special Envoy to Ukraine General Keith Kellogg met with President Zelensky at the event following new promises by President Trump that he will be approving sales of anti-air missiles to Ukraine.
Feature photo of Pope Leone XIV and President Volodymyr Zelensky by ANSA.
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