According to a Vatican statement, the half-hour meeting, held while the Pope was at his summer residence for rest, took place in a cordial atmosphere.
Among the topics discussed were the prospects for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
The Vatican press office confirmed that during the dialogue, Pope Leo XIV stressed the importance of continuing peace negotiations and expressed hope that talks would lead to a just and lasting resolution.
A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo during the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (3rd-L) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (2nd-L) at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, 09 December 2025 (photo: VATICAN MEDIA/PAP/EPA)
The discussion also covered the exchange of prisoners and the safe return of Ukrainian children who had been abducted by Russian forces.
During his visit to Italy, Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. That meeting is planned for Tuesday around 3 p.m.
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Source: IAR/X/@ZelenskyyUa