Rome Newsroom, Aug 13, 2022 / 04:45 am
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he spoke with Pope Francis over the phone on Friday and thanked the pope for his prayers and humanitarian support.
In a tweet posted on Aug. 12, Zelenskyy wrote that he had briefed the pope on Russia’s “horrible crimes” and aggression against Ukraine.
“Our people need support of world spiritual leaders who should convey to the world the truth about acts of horror committed by the aggressor,” the Ukrainian president said.
Andrii Yurash, Ukraine’s ambassador to the Holy See, reported that this is the third time that Pope Francis has spoken with Zelenskyy since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly six months ago.
The ambassador added that Ukraine would be happy to welcome the pope for an official visit to help with the peace process.
SinceStart ofWar it was3rd telephoneConversation betweenPopeFrancis @Pontifex &PresidentOf🇺🇦VolodymyrZelenskyy @ZelenskyyUa ThankingForPrayer&Humanitarian Support, 🇺🇦confirms Again:🇺🇦&🇺🇦Society will beHappy toGreetHolyFather.Papal touchToSufferingLand canHelpStopWar&Install Peace pic.twitter.com/3asoehbZiL
— Andrii Yurash (@AndriiYurash) August 12, 2022
Pope Francis has repeatedly expressed his interest in a potential visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
On his return flight from Canada, the pope reiterated his interest in traveling to the war-torn country. In July, the Ukrainian foreign ministry renewed its invitation for Pope Francis to visit.
“I said I would like to go to Ukraine. Let's see now what I find when I get home,” the pope said in the in-flight press conference on July 30.
Pope Francis is scheduled to participate in September in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan, where he could potentially meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who is expected to participate in the congress.
At the end of his Angelus address on Aug. 7, Pope Francis welcomed the departure of the first grain ships allowed to leave ports in Ukraine.
“This step demonstrates that it is possible to dialogue and to reach concrete results which benefit everyone,” the pope said.
“Therefore, this event also presents itself as a sign of hope, and I sincerely hope that, following this path, there can be an end to combat, and that a just and lasting peace might be reached.”
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA