Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy have had several phone conversations since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The most recent one, as reported by Zelenskyy, was on December 28.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY
President of Ukraine
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. We discussed our joint work on the Peace Formula. More than 80 states all already involved at the level of their representatives. There will be more. I am grateful to the Vatican for supporting our work.
The two met at the Vatican on May 13 during a 40-minute visit. Zelenskyy did not propose for Pope Francis to be a mediator, but rather to join his Ukrainian Peace Formula.
It is a 10-point plan that includes the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity based on a UN resolution, which was supported by 100 countries in 2014 and affirms a commitment to recognize Crimea as part of Ukraine.
The Vatican has never publicly expressed a desire to join the Peace Formula but it has promoted initiatives to help create peace. Pope Francis appointed a special envoy, Cardinal Zuppi, who has already visited Moscow, Kyiv, Washington and Beijing. One of the main objectives of the Holy See is to return the thousands of children deported to Russia during the war back home to Ukraine.
CA
TR: AT
