After literally hundreds of public prayers for peace in Ukraine and 443 days after Russia launched an all-out war on the Eastern European country, Pope Francis welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Vatican.

The topics of the conversation May 13 included "the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine caused by the ongoing war," the Vatican press office said.

Pope Francis assured the president of "his constant prayers, evidenced by his many public appeals and continuous invocation to the Lord for peace since," the statement continued.

"Both agreed on the need for continued humanitarian efforts to support the population," the Vatican said. And "the pope particularly stressed the urgent need for 'gestures of humanity' toward the most fragile people, the innocent victims of the conflict."

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