Pope Francis received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a private meeting at the Vatican on Friday, focusing primarily on the return of prisoners. Zelensky highlighted the need for support for children and adults imprisoned by Russia, as he shared in a post on Telegram.
Following this, he met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, where they discussed efforts to end the war in Ukraine and establish a just and stable peace. The Vatican’s chief diplomat expressed concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, as reported by the Holy See.
The meeting lasted approximately half an hour, during which Zelensky presented Pope Francis with a painting titled “The Bucha Massacre,” depicting a girl among the rubble. Bucha, located near Kiev, was the site of alleged atrocities committed by Russian troops soon after the invasion began in February 2022, where civilians were reportedly tortured and killed.
This marks Zelensky’s third visit to the Vatican since the war began. Throughout the conflict, Pope Francis has consistently referred to Ukraine as a “martyred” nation, bringing attention to the ongoing suffering of its people. However, some of his remarks on the war, particularly those suggesting a peace deal, have drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials.