The Pope expressed particular concern for Ukrainian children impacted by the war. He noted that many had "lost the ability to smile" according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.

This meeting marks the fourth time the Pope and President Zelensky have met. Previous discussions occurred in May 2023 and February 2020 before the full-scale Russian invasion.

According to the Holy See Press Office statement, the talks were devoted "to the state of the war and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine" and "the ways that could put an end to it, leading to a just and stable peace in the country".

In a post on X following the meeting, Pope Francis said "All nations have the right to exist in peace and security. Their territories must not be attacked, and their sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed through peace and dialogue. War and hatred bring only death and destruction for everyone".

Very difficult undertaking

President Zelenskyy revealed they discussed the repatriation of Ukrainian soldiers, civilians and journalists held in Russia. He provided the Vatican with a list of names.

Zelenskyy said "This is a very difficult undertaking and that is why we need special help, including the efforts of the Vatican".

However, some in the West have expressed doubts about the role of the Vatican as a mediator. Critics suggest the Pope has been too neutral and, at times, has not sufficiently defended Kyiv.

Despite these concerns, global efforts for peace including those by major powers have failed. Yet the Pope has had some success in humanitarian efforts, particularly in securing the release of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

While some call these efforts "too few", they offer a glimpse of hope in a conflict where peace remains elusive.

Sources

Vatican News

La Croix International

Katholisch

Many perceive the statement as a call for Ukraine to surrender in its conflict with Russia.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI, Francis advocated for peace talks brokered by international powers.

"I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag and negotiates" Francis said.

However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba promptly responded, affirming Ukraine's unwavering commitment to the colours of his country's flag and rejecting any notion of surrender.

"Our flag is blue and yellow. We live, die and win under it. We will not raise other flags" Kuleba posted on Sunday on the social media platform X.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski echoed this sentiment. "How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations."

Courage of negotiations

However, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified that the Pope's intention was to support "a stop to hostilities" and "a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations," rather than advocating for Ukrainian surrender.

Bruni said that the journalist interviewing Francis used the term "white flag" in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

Francis emphasised that negotiations should never be perceived as a sign of weakness but rather as a pathway to peace.

"When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate" he said.

While the Pope's comments have sparked debate, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated that any initiative in peace negotiations must come from Russia, the aggressor.

Francis has endeavoured to maintain the Vatican's traditional diplomatic neutrality throughout the conflict.

His apparent sympathy towards the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine has however raised eyebrows. The reaction was notable when he referenced NATO's eastward expansion contributing to regional tensions.

During Sunday's Angelus prayer, Francis said he was praying "for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land."

"Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible" he said.

Sources

AP News

AP News

CathNews New Zealand

Ukraine's Eastern Rite Catholic bishops echoed Podolyak's comments.

Podolyak firmly rejected any notion of the Vatican mediating in the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine and hinted at possible Russian influence within the Vatican bank.

Podolyak's criticism stems from Pope Francis' remarks during a video conference with Russian Catholic youth in St Petersburg, where the Pope praised the legacy of "Great Mother Russia."

Despite the Pope's subsequent clarification that he was referring to culture rather than imperialism, Podolyak remained unconvinced.

He argued that the Pope's position in effect supports Russia's actions in Ukraine, which are causing harm to Ukrainian citizens.

Furthermore, Podolyak suggested that financial considerations may be influencing the Pope's stance, hinting at potential Russian investments in the Vatican bank.

However, no specific evidence was provided to support this claim.

Disappointment and pain

While Pope Francis has expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people throughout the conflict, he has refrained from directly condemning Russia or President Vladimir Putin.

This approach has not only drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials but also disappointed members of his Catholic flock in Ukraine.

The bishops of Ukraine's Greek Catholic Church, the largest of the Eastern churches in communion with Rome, have voiced concerns about the Pope's statements. They expressed disappointment and pain over the Pope's remarks.

The bishops believe the comments are being exploited by Russian propaganda to justify its actions in Ukraine.

The bishops' statement said they told the pope that certain statements and gestures of "the Holy See and Your Holiness are painful and difficult for the Ukrainian people, who are currently bleeding in the struggle for their dignity and independence."

The statement quoted the pope as telling the bishops: "The fact that you doubted whom the pope is with was particularly painful for the Ukrainian people. I want to assure you of my solidarity with you and constant prayerful closeness. I am with the Ukrainian people."

Sources

Crux Now

AP News

Reuters

CathNews New Zealand

"The tragic reality of this war that seems to have no end, demands of everyone a common creative effort to imagine and forge paths of peace," the pope told a delegation from the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis has consistently called for an end to the hostilities, denouncing the destruction of Ukrainian communities, the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions. Ukraine was also the biggest beneficiary of the papal charity Peter's Pence in 2022.

In May, the pope appointed Zuppi as his peace envoy. The cardinal recently held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during his visit to Kyiv.

A Vatican statement said Zuppi's consultations in Moscow included meetings with Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to President Vladimir Putin, and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church.

"(The visit was) aimed at identifying humanitarian initiatives which could open roads to peace," the statement said. It added that further steps would be taken, but gave no details.

Zuppi and Kirill discussed collaborating on a peaceful resolution to the war and the possibility of a future meeting between Pope Francis and the patriarch. Their meeting was deemed fruitful and focused primarily on promoting humanitarian initiatives.

Addressing the challenges in the relationship between Russia and the West, Kirill stressed the importance of preventing a large-scale armed conflict. He called on all parties involved to work together for peace and justice.

"I believe that in the current conditions, marked by great risks and dangers, the church can, through joined efforts, prevent the negative development of the political circumstances," Kirill said at the meeting, according to a statement.

Papal visit to Moscow would be unprecedented

While it may be premature to expect a visit from Pope Francis to Moscow, Vatican diplomacy expert Victor Gaetan noted the pope's desire to make an official trip to Russia, which would be unprecedented.

"The meeting between Kirill and Zuppi at this time is a symbol that the two lungs of the church, the Catholic and Orthodox are healthy and may also be a prelude to Pope Francis meeting with Kirill," Gaetan said.

According to Gaetan, the Vatican mission is also aimed at sending a message to the international community. "I read Cardinal Zuppi's very public trip as a lecture Pope Francis is delivering to NATO countries: No diplomacy is possible without direct personal encounter," he said.

During Zuppi's visit, the cardinal also met with Russian officials to discuss humanitarian issues in Ukraine, particularly the well-being of displaced minors.

The results of Zuppi's mission will be presented to Pope Francis to determine future steps and humanitarian initiatives.

Sources

US News & World Report

Religion News Service

America Magazine

CathNews New Zealand

The Catholic priest woke up to a phone call: "Father, wake up because the war has started."

"I understood that my life would never be the same as before," Grynevych said.

A few days ahead of the Ukraine war anniversary, the Catholic priest was able to speak one on one with Pope Francis at his Vatican residence to share with the pope updates on the Church's humanitarian efforts on the ground.

Grynevych presented Pope Francis with a cross made out of broken glass and rubble from destroyed buildings in Kyiv in an emotional moment during their meeting.

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Speaking to a large crowd at his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square, Francis also appealed to "those who have the fate of the war in their hands" to stop.

"My heart is always with the Ukrainian people, especially the residents of the places that have been hit by relentless bombings," Francis said.

"May (God's) spirit transform the hearts of those who have the fate of the war in their hands, so that the hurricane of violence stops and peaceful coexistence in justice can be rebuilt."

Earlier this week, at least 26 people were killed when Ukraine was struck by the heaviest bombardment since the war began in February.

Russian missile strikes hit multiple locations in the centre of the capital, Kyiv, and also Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and other cities, claiming several lives and causing numerous casualties.

Meanwhile, in Amsterdam, International Mobile Justice teams prosecutors are investigating the ongoing Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other cities to determine if they are war crimes.

When asked if the attacks could be considered war crimes, the Vatican's number two, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said he was not qualified to make such a technical, juridical judgment.

"But certainly, they are unacceptable acts that cry out vengeance before God and before humanity because bombing unarmed civilians is beyond any logic. It is to be totally condemned," Parolin said.

Russia denies targeting civilians in its military operation in Ukraine. It has accused the West of escalating and prolonging the conflict by supporting Kyiv.

Francis directly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the "spiral of violence and death", saying the crisis was risking uncontrollable global consequences.

Sources

Reuters

Vatican News

CathNews New Zealand

Speaking to CNN Portugal, the pope said he has spoken to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that dialogue is key.

"They both visited me here. Not now, before (the war). And I always believe that by having a dialogue, we advance. You know who doesn't know how to talk? Animals. They are pure instinct. Instead, dialogue is letting go of instinct and listening. Dialogue is difficult," he said.

Asked whether he still intends to visit Kyiv, Francis said a papal visit to the Ukrainian capital is "up in the air".

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Last week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba summoned the Vatican's ambassador in Kyiv to protest, saying the pope's words were "unfair" and had "broken Ukraine's heart".

That move followed sharp criticism of the pope by Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash.

Francis sparked the controversy last Wednesday while speaking off script at his weekly general audience on the day Ukraine marked its independence from Soviet rule in 1991 and six months after Russian forces invaded.

"Innocents pay for war," Francis said in a sentence where he referred to "that poor girl thrown in the air by a bomb under the seat of a car in Moscow".

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"The mediating role of the Holy See in ending human suffering would be appreciated," President Zelenskyy wrote, adding that he thanked the pope "for the prayers for Ukraine and peace."

Pope Francis telephoned President Zelenskyy before the president addressed the Italian parliament via video link on March 22.

Andrii Yurash, Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See, tweeted that the conversation between the pope and president was "very promising."

The ambassador reported the pope was "praying and doing everything possible" to help end the war. The pope was again invited to visit the country.

From his Twitter account, @ZelenskyyUa, the president said he told the pope about "the difficult humanitarian situation and the blocking of rescue corridors by Russian troops."

The president said that Pope Francis told him: "I understand that you desire peace. I understand that you must defend yourselves, soldiers and civilians defend their country, each one defends."

"And I responded," Zelenskyy recalled, that "our people have become the army, [they became] the army when they saw the evil their enemy does, what devastation it has left". Zelenskyy reiterated that the Vatican's role mediating the conflict was welcomed.

Zelenskyy said that in the conflict with Russia, at least 117 children have been killed. Thousands have also been wounded, tens of thousands of families destroyed and millions of homes abandoned.

"And all of this started from one person," he said.

He said Ukraine is the gateway into Europe for the Russian military. Europe "has to stop just one person so that millions may survive."

This is the second time since the Russian conflict began that the Pope and Zelenskyy have spoken by phone. The first time was on February 26, two days after after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched by President Vladimir Putin.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

America Magazine