Pope receives Zelensky and offers Vatican for peace negotiations with Russia

Zelensky says the Pope “can play an important role” to end in war. In his speech today, the Pope asked peace for the “tormented Ukraine” and lamented by other conflicts, such as what happens in Gaza.

Ukrainian President thanked the words, especially “about the need for just peace.” According to the Vatican, Zelensky also expressed his vows of happiness by the Pontiff and that his prayers “be heard.”

At the Vatican, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) briefly spoke of the meeting with the Ukraine ambassador to Brazil. “There is no decision to travel. But I want to highlight the Pope’s word, Pope Leo 14 brings a word of peace and sows hope. In a complex and troubled world we live today, sowing peace and hope is very important,” he said.

After the inauguration mass, we have meeting with pope leo xiv @Pontifex. We are grateful to His Holiness for the Audience.

For Millions of People Around the World, The Pontiff is a Symbol of Hope for Peace. The Authority and Voice of the Holy See Can Play An Important Role In? pic.twitter.com/6pfgjfcrae

– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / ????????? ?????????? (@Zelenskyua) May 18, 2025

This week, Ukrainian and Russian officials held the first direct meeting in three years. The negotiations ended after two hours without a ceasefire agreement. A Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters that Russian demands are “detached from reality.”

How was the Pope’s speech

Leo 14 condemned the economic system that excludes the poor. “We still see too much discord, wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of the different and an economic paradigm that explores land resources and marginalizes the poorest,” he said.