President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to Pope Leo XIV, who mentioned the suffering of Ukraine on Saturday 28 June, and called for help in bringing Ukrainians held by Russia back.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Details: A statement by Pope Leo XIV about Ukraine was published in Ukrainian on the official X page of the Pope on Saturday 28 June.

Quote from Pope Leo XIV: "I express my closeness to martyred Ukraine – to the children, the young people, the elderly, and especially to families who mourn their loved ones. I share your sorrow for the prisoners and victims of this senseless war."

Details: A few hours later, Zelenskyy responded to the post, thanking the Pope for his "continued prayers and compassion for Ukraine and our people".

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Together we must stop this wanton Russian aggression and protect innocent lives. A just peace is needed. And we would also deeply appreciate your kind help in bringing back all our people – adults and children – held in Russian captivity against their will."

Background:

• The Vatican previously reported that during his first conversation with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin in early June, Pope Leo XIV called on him "to take a gesture that would favour peace".
• Pope Leo XIV proposed the Vatican as a venue for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, an idea supported by Kyiv, European states and the United States, but Moscow refused.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon !