Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelensky tweeted on March 22 that he has again spoken with Pope Francis.
According to the president, he told the Pope that mediation from the Holy See would be appreciated, given the “blocking of rescue corridors by Russian troops.”
Just two days after the war began, the Pope phoned Zelensky.
The Holy See has been offering a mediating role since the beginning of the conflict, with the Pope’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, repeatedly expressing readiness to help. However, the relations of the Vatican with Russia, and specifically the Russian Orthodox Church, are difficult and complex.