(Este artículo también se encuentra en español)
Pope Francis is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming hours. The Supreme Pontiff addressed Ukraine during his recent trip to Hungary.
Meanwhile, Italian radio and television suggest that the meeting could take place in Rome itself. In this scenario, Volodymyr Zelensky would also meet with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
This encounter between Francis and Zelensky comes just days after the pontiff received Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at the Vatican.
According to the Vatican, during that meeting, “various issues related to the war in Ukraine were discussed, with particular attention to the humanitarian aspect and efforts to restore peace.”
“I am willing to do whatever needs to be done (for peace in Ukraine),” Francis said on the plane returning from his recent trip to Hungary. “Moreover, there is a mission underway now, but it is not yet public. We will see how… When it becomes public, I will talk about it,” he added.
For his part, Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, said that the Vatican’s peace efforts “will continue.” He also suggested that there are “developments,” but of a “reserved nature.” At least for now.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Francis has positioned himself as a potential mediator. In fact, he has always expressed his role for peace and even drew criticism in the West when he said he would only visit Kiev when he could also go to Moscow.
