Private Meeting with the Pope: What Was Discussed

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has had a private conversation with Pope Francis for the third time, according to Vatican News.

The meeting between Pope Francis and President Zelensky lasted 35 minutes at the Vatican. After the private discussion and the introduction of the Ukrainian delegation, the Pope presented Zelensky with a bronze relief depicting a blooming flower, inscribed with the words "Peace is a fragile flower." In response, the Ukrainian president gifted the Pontiff a painting titled "The Bucha Crime: The Story of Marichka." The artwork illustrates the horrors of Russian military crimes in Bucha, seen through the eyes of Marichka, an imaginary little girl who witnessed her father, mother, and grandmother tortured and killed by Russian soldiers.

The meeting between Zelensky and Pope Francis took place behind closed doors, with the participation of a translator, and addressed themes of war and peace for Ukraine, which the Pontiff has always characterized as "tormented." Zelensky also met with Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

“The discussions at the Secretary of State's office focused on the war situation and humanitarian conditions in Ukraine, as well as pathways to end the conflict that would lead to a just and stable peace in the country. Additionally, some issues related to the religious life in the country were discussed,” the Vatican reported after the meeting.

This marks President Zelensky's third visit to the Vatican. He previously visited in February 2020 and April 2023. The Ukrainian president and Pope Francis also met on July 14 at the G7 summit organized by Italy.