Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the Studio of Paul VI Hall on May 13, 2023 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had private talks with Pope Francis on the Vatican on Saturday, later saying he sought support for his peace plan from the pontiff, who up to now has offered to attempt to help end the war launched by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a 12 months ago.
Zelenskyy held his hand over his heart and said it was a “great honor” to satisfy with the pope. Francis, using a cane for his knee problem, got here to greet the Ukrainian president before ushering him right into a papal studio near the Vatican’s audience hall. “Thanks in your visit,″ Francis said, as their 40-minute-long meeting began.
In a tweet after the papal audience, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Francis for “his personal attention to the tragedy of tens of millions of Ukrainians.” He said he spoke with the pontiff “in regards to the tens of 1000’s of deported (Ukrainian) children. We must make every effort to return them home.”
Last month, Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, asked the pope to assist get the youngsters returned from Russia to Ukraine. However the Vatican’s written statement after Saturday’s talks made no mention of the request for help for the youngsters.
As an alternative, the Vatican said the 2 men spoke about Ukraine’s “humanitarian and political situation provoked by the war happening.″
“The pope assured his constant prayer, paid witness to by his many public appeals and by his continued invoking of the Lord for peace, since February of last 12 months,″ the Vatican said, a reference to the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, by Russia’s military.
“Each agreed on the necessity to proceed humanitarian efforts” to assist the population, the Holy See’s statement added. “The pope underlined particularly the urgent need for ‘humanitarian gestures’ toward essentially the most fragile individuals, innocent victims of the conflict,” the statement said.
Zelenskyy also said that he asked the pope to sentence Russian “crimes in Ukraine” because “there may be no equality between the victim and the aggressor.” And he said he asked Francis to come back aboard Ukraine’s peace plan.
“I also talked about our Peace Formula because the only effective algorithm for achieving a just peace,″ Zelenskyy said. Later, in an interview on Italian state TV, the Ukrainian leader said the pope “knows my position. The war is in Ukraine, that’s the reason it must be Ukraine’s plan” to bring peace.
Zelenskyy’s 10-point plan would establish a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes. It could also create a European-Atlantic security architecture with guarantees for Ukraine, restore Ukraine’s damaged power infrastructure and ensure safety around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia.
Earlier within the day, Zelenskyy received from Italian officials pledges of each open-ended military and financial support in addition to stronger backing for Ukraine’s cherished aim to hitch the European Union.
“The message is evident and straightforward,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, flanked by Zelenskyy because the two briefed reporters after their meeting at her office, which lasted greater than an hour. “The long run of Ukraine is a way forward for peace and freedom. And it’s the long run of Europe, a way forward for peace and freedom, for which there are not any other possible solutions.″
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni (R), flanked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaks during a joint press conference following their meeting at Chigi Palace government office in Rome, Italy, on May 13, 2023. Zelenskyy, who also met Italian President Sergio Mattarella, is a one-day trip in Rome, including an audience with Pope Francis on the Vatican.
Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Meloni also renewed her pledge to champion Ukraine’s EU ambitions, saying Ukraine was moving ahead with required reforms despite the war.
The premier, who staunchly supports military aid for Ukraine, said Italy would back the country “360 degrees for on a regular basis vital and beyond.”
Zelenskyy began his official meetings by calling on Italian President Sergio Mattarella on the presidential Quirinale Palace. “We’re fully at your side,″ Mattarella told Zelenskyy as he welcomed him. Later, after their meeting, presidential palace sources said Mattarella assured his guest that Italy would proceed to support Ukraine militarily and financially, in addition to with reconstruction and humanitarian aid, in each the short and long run.
Because the war began, Italy has contributed about 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in military and financial aid, in addition to humanitarian assistance.
Zelenskyy is believed to be heading to Berlin next for what can be his first visit to Germany for the reason that war began. The precise schedule was not publicly announced due to security concerns.
At the top of April, flying back to Rome from a visit to Hungary, Francis told reporters on the plane that the Vatican was involved in a behind-the-scene peace mission but gave no details. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed such an initiative.
He has said he would love to go to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, if such a visit could possibly be coupled with one to Moscow, in hopes a papal pilgrimage could further the reason behind peace.
The German government, meanwhile, said it was providing Ukraine with additional military aid value greater than 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin wanted to indicate with the newest package of arms “that Germany is serious in its support” for Ukraine.
“Germany will provide all the assistance it might probably, so long as it takes,” he said.
