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Zelenskyy was the first head of state to have a private chat with the new pope – and the Ukrainian President used the opportunity to tell the pope about the plans revealed during the weekend.
Zelenskyy was the first known head of state to have a phone call with the new pope – and the Ukrainian President used the opportunity to tell the pope about the plans revealed during the weekend.
Pope Leo XIV gets to work
He hasn’t even been pop for a week yet, but newly-elected Pope Leo XIV has already gone to work. After being elected Thursday, he helt his first Mass on Friday, and Sunday he helt his first Sunday address.
First known phone call with head of state
On Monday, the pope had his first known phone call with a head of state, and that was no other than the Ukrainian President, Volodomyr Zelenskyy – but what did they talk about?
Zelenskyy reveals
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Monday that he used the phone call to thank the new pope for “his words about the need to achieve a just and lasting peace for our country and the release of prisoners”, the post says.
Deported Ukrainian children
According to the post, the men also discussed the Ukrainian children, that is suspected to have been deported by Russia. Zelenskyy added that Ukraine will count on the Vatican’s assistance in bringing the children home to their families.
Details about the 30-day ceasefire
The pope was also informed of the suggested 30-day ceasefire, proposed by Ukraine and it’s allies. Russia has rejected to idea of a long standing ceasefire, arguing it would give Ukraine time to rearm and regroup to continue the fighting.
Invitation to Ukraine
Zelenskyy also invited the pope to Ukraine. Ukraine is mostly Christian Orthodox with 60-70 % of the population adhering to this believe. According to surveys, 10 % of the Ukrainian population concider themselves Catholic.