Ukraine: President Zelensky thanks Pope for his support

Image Vatican Media: 13 May 2023

Source: Vatican Media

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for his Christmas greetings to Ukraine and for supporting the Peace Formula.

In a short statement on his official website and his X (Twitter) account, President Zelensky wrote:

"I have just spoken with His Holiness Pope Francis to express gratitude for his Christmas greetings to Ukraine and Ukrainians, for his wishes of peace - just peace for all of us," said President Zelensky.

"We discussed our joint work on the Peace Formula - more than 80 states are already involved at the level of their representatives. There will be more. I am grateful to the Vatican for supporting our work."

Pope Francis received the Ukrainian President in the Vatican for the first time in 2020, before the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022. On 13 May this year, they met in person again.

They have also spoken by phone several times. In their first phone call on 26 February 2022, just two days after the outbreak of the war. President Zelensky said the Pope had expressed his deep sorrow for the tragic events that were unfolding in the European nation, while the President had thanked the Pope for his spiritual support for the people of Ukraine.

They spoke again by phone on 22 March 2022. President Zelensky said he had told the Pope about the dire humanitarian situation and welcomed the Holy See's offer to mediate in order to seek a solution to human suffering.

Later, on 12 August 2022, they held another telephone conversation to discuss the horrors endured by the Ukrainian people due to Russia's invasion, according to President Zelensky. He also expressed his appreciation to Pope Francis for his prayers and invited him to visit Kyiv.