the ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met this Saturday in Rome with the Pope Franciscothe president of Italy Sergio Mattarella and the premiere Giorgia Meloniin what he defined as an “important visit” for the “victory” of his country in the war against Russia.
In the first face-to-face dialogue between the two since the start of the war in February 2022, the Pope and Zelenski met for 40 minutes in a room in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.
After the meeting, the pontiff gave him a bronze work with an olive branch, “peace symbol”in addition to his writings, while the president gave him a work of art taken from a projectile shelter and a painting about the murder of children during the conflict.
The meeting took place in a context of confidential negotiations by the Holy See to achieve a rapprochement between Ukraine and Russia, and after the public announcement by the pontiff that the Vatican will mediate to obtain the restitution of thousands of children that Kiev denounces were deported from the country. .
Since the start of the war, the Pope and the president have spoken by phone at least twice, according to what Francis revealed in dialogue with journalists. Zelensky already visited the Pope in 2020.
For the moment, however, Francisco did not talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin, although he showed his willingness to contact the president and hinted at the Kremlin leader’s rejection of a meeting. Last Thursday, Francis received the Russian ambassador to the Holy See, Alexander Avdeev, for the traditional farewell visit.
