Just a day after making an emotional public plea for peace, Pope Leo XIV picked up the phone to speak directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The conversation came after the pope’s heartfelt Sunday message from St. Peter’s Basilica, where he expressed deep concern over the ongoing suffering in Ukraine.
This moment marks the first official phone call between the two leaders—and according to both sides, it was warm, sincere, and focused on finding real solutions.
The Pope’s Emotional Plea from the Heart of the Vatican
On Sunday, as nearly 100,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Leo XIV lead the Regina Coeli prayer, the pontiff paused to acknowledge Ukraine’s pain.
“I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he told the crowd from the central balcony.
With visible emotion, he called on world leaders to do everything in their power to achieve “an authentic, just, and lasting peace.”
He went on to make a strong appeal for humanity and dignity—asking that prisoners be released and deported children be reunited with their families.
Zelenskyy Shares Update After Historic Conversation
On Monday morning, President Zelenskyy took to social media to share the news of their phone call.
Posting a photo from his office, he confirmed it was the first time he had spoken with Pope Leo XIV—but said the exchange was “very warm and truly substantive.”
Zelenskyy didn’t waste any time getting to the heart of the issue.
In his post, he thanked the pope for standing with Ukraine and its people and noted that their conversation focused specifically on the heartbreaking situation of children deported by Russia during the conflict.
“Ukraine counts on the Vatican’s assistance in bringing them home to their families,” he wrote, highlighting the humanitarian urgency of the moment.
Vatican Reaffirms Commitment to Peace
Matteo Bruni, the spokesperson for the Holy See Press Office, confirmed the phone call and reiterated the pope’s continued concern for Ukraine.
While details of the call were not shared in full, Bruni noted that the discussion was in line with the pope’s consistent message of peace, justice, and compassion.
This outreach comes at a time when diplomatic and spiritual voices are urgently needed, and the Vatican’s willingness to get involved signals its hope to play a bigger role in humanitarian resolution efforts.
What Comes Next for the Vatican and Ukraine?
As the war continues and Ukraine looks for broader global support, the Vatican’s involvement could play a symbolic—and perhaps even practical—role in advocating for peace and human rights protections.
Whether this call leads to more direct Vatican efforts remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: both Pope Leo XIV and President Zelenskyy are committed to keeping dialogue open, especially when it comes to reuniting families and protecting the innocent.