Zelensky arrived for his second meeting with Pope Leo XIV. But this time, it was not at the Vatican, but at Villa Barberini, in Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope is staying during his period of rest in July.
The visit lasted just over 30 minutes. The Pope expressed his sorrow for the victims to the Ukrainian president, encouraging efforts to free the prisoners.
The Pope also reiterated the Vatican's willingness to host Russian and Ukrainian representatives for negotiations, something Pope Leo XIV had previously proposed.
At the end, the two appeared on the balcony of this residence, where they greeted journalists and the faithful gathered outside.
This time, Zelensky, who was accompanied by the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Holy See, presented the Pope with an album dedicated to Ukrainian iconography.
At the end, Zelensky stood with the press. He thanked the Vatican and said he counted on its support and that of the Pope to help Ukraine organize a high-level meeting to end the war.
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