Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Pope Leo XIV and thanked him for the Vatican’s efforts to help return children taken by Russia during the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was received by Pope Leo XIV at his summer residence outside Rome on Wednesday. On Thursday, a reconstruction conference for Ukraine, which has been defending itself against Russia's invasion for more than three years,

The Holy See stated that the Pope discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine with Zelenskyy and the “pressing need to pursue peace through dialogue.” “The Pope expressed his sorrow for the victims of the war and assured the Ukrainian people of his prayers and continued closeness,