In Bari, on his way to attend the G7 summit in Bari (Italy) on June 14, 2024, Pope Francis met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It’s the second meeting between the two men since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The Holy See has been involved in humanitarian efforts for the besieged Ukrainian people.
This brief meeting, which took place shortly after the Pontiff’s arrival in Puglia, was not commented on by the Holy See. It did, however, prompt a statement from the Ukrainian presidency.
Gratitude for Vatican humanitarian efforts
President Zelensky thanked the Pope “for his prayers for peace in Ukraine” and for his “spiritual closeness” to his people, for whom the Pontiff prays every week during his public appearances. The President also expressed his gratitude for the humanitarian aid the Pope had sent to his country.
The Ukrainian head of state spoke with the Pontiff of “the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, Russian aerial terror, and the difficult situation in the energy sector.”
On the eve of the World Summit for Peace in Ukraine, to be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15 and 16, Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with the Pontiff the “Peace Formula” his country was hoping for, and the Holy See’s role in establishing it.
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin will represent the Pontiff at the Swiss meeting.
The Ukrainian president also welcomed the Holy See’s efforts to repatriate Ukrainian children held in Russia, a special mission entrusted by the Pope to the Cardinal Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi, who has visited Moscow, Kiev, Beijing and Washington for this purpose. While this mediation has so far borne little fruit — only one teenager has officially been able to return home — the Italian cardinal’s engagement on this issue is particularly appreciated and followed by the Ukrainian government.
Humanitarian work more than mediation
Since the beginning of the conflict, Pope Francis and Volodymyr Zelensky have spoken several times by telephone. A year ago, the Ukrainian president was also received privately by the Pontiff at the Vatican for some 40 minutes. During this high-profile audience, the two leaders agreed on the “need to continue humanitarian efforts in support of the population.”
Afterwards, however, the Ukrainian president showed little enthusiasm for the idea of Vatican mediation, preferring the Holy See to focus on humanitarian diplomacy. In recent months, several of the Pontiff’s statements, notably the one on the “white flag” last March, have provoked strong protests from Kiev.
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