This morning, 9 December 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received in Audience, at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, His Excellency Mr Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

During the cordial talks, which focused on the war in Ukraine, the Holy Father reiterated the need for the continuation of dialogue and expressed his urgent desire that the current diplomatic initiatives bring about a just and lasting peace.

In addition, the questions of prisoners of war and the need to assure the return of Ukrainian children to their families were also discussed.