Pope calls for continued 'dialogue' after meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskiy

Castel Gandolfo - Pope Leo stressed the need to continue with dialogue aiming at a "just and lasting peace" in his meeting on Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Vatican said in a statement.

The pope "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," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that his country "deeply appreciates" the humanitarian support of Pope Leo following a meeting between the two at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo.

"I informed the Pope about diplomatic efforts with the United States to achieve peace. We discussed further actions and the Vatican's mediation aimed at returning our children abducted by Russia," he wrote on X.

Zelenskiy added that he had invited the pontiff to visit Ukraine.

Anna Pruchnicka and Dan Peleschuk/Reuters