Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, where they discussed topics such as establishing lasting peace for Ukraine and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelensky had previously met the Pope in 2023 during a visit to the Vatican, where they had a lengthy conversation. During the recent meeting, Zelensky thanked the Pope for his prayers for peace in Ukraine, spiritual support for the Ukrainian people, and humanitarian aid provided to Ukrainians. They also discussed the role of the Holy See in achieving a just and lasting peace, as well as the expectations for the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland.
In March, Pope Francis faced criticism from leaders such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO General Jens Stoltenberg for suggesting that Ukraine should not be ashamed to negotiate with Russia. President Zelensky responded to this indirectly in a nightly address, emphasizing that Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression is what is preventing further incursion into Europe. The Vatican later clarified that the Pope’s intention was to create conditions for a diplomatic solution and a just and lasting peace through negotiations. The discussions between Zelensky and Pope Francis at the G7 summit focused on the consequences of Russian aggression, including air terror and the challenging energy situation in Ukraine, as well as the Pope’s support for peace in the region.
Ukraine is actively seeking international support for its peace plan at the upcoming global peace summit, scheduled for June 15-16. Despite Russia not being invited to the summit and dismissing Ukraine’s plan, 107 countries have shown support for Ukraine’s initiatives. This summit comes at a crucial time, as Ukraine continues to face the ongoing conflict with Russia, which has entered its third year of full-scale invasion. The goal of Ukraine is to strengthen international backing for its peace plan and to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, with the hope of achieving a just and lasting peace in the region.
The Vatican has played a significant role in advocating for peace in Ukraine, with Pope Francis offering prayers and support for the country amidst the ongoing conflict. While there have been differences in opinion regarding the approach to negotiations with Russia, the Pope’s emphasis has been on creating conditions for dialogue and diplomatic solutions. The support of the Holy See in establishing peace and addressing the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Ukraine has been acknowledged by President Zelensky, who sees the Vatican’s involvement as crucial to achieving a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The global peace summit in Switzerland holds significant importance for Ukraine and its efforts to resolve the conflict with Russia. With international support, Ukraine aims to strengthen its position at the negotiating table and push for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis. Despite challenges and differing opinions on the approach to peace negotiations, Ukraine remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace for its citizens. The discussions between President Zelensky and Pope Francis underscore the importance of international cooperation and support in addressing the complexities of the conflict in Ukraine and working towards a peaceful resolution in the region.
