The Vatican statement said that Pope Leo XIV and the President of Ukraine discussed the urgent need for a just and sustainable peace. During the meeting, the Pope asked Mr. Zelensky in English: "What is the situation?" as the two sat opposite each other in a large room.
This is the second meeting between Pope Leo XIV and the President of Ukraine since the Pope took office, just two months ago.
On social network X, President Zelensky wrote that holding talks in the Vatican is completely feasible, with the goal of achieving stable, long-term and substantial peace. However, he said Russia had rejected the proposal, as had other previous peace efforts.
Russia has previously said it does not consider the Vatican a suitable location for talks because it is located in Italy - a NATO member that has clearly shown support for Ukraine throughout the conflict.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papal position, has made calling for peace in global conflicts a core activity. The papal received Zelensky in the Vatican on May 18.
On June 4, Pope Leo held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Vatican, in this call, the Pope suggested that Mr. Putin take concrete steps to end the conflict that has lasted for more than 3 years in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump mentioned in May that Pope Leo had proposed holding peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, although at that time, the Vatican had not made any official confirmation of the information.
President Zelensky is currently in Italy to attend a conference on Ukrainian reconstruction after the conflict with Russia. The conference took place over two days to discuss long-term recovery and development plans for the country.
