Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at Castel Gandolfo for their third discussion since Russia’s invasion, combining the Vatican’s moral authority with Ukraine’s urgent need for peace. Zelenskyy presented a streamlined 20-point peace plan demanding strong security guarantees while rejecting territorial concessions. The leaders addressed humanitarian crises including prisoner treatment and the return of abducted Ukrainian children. Following visits to London, Brussels, and Rome, Zelenskyy’s diplomatic tour sought international support as Italy emerged as a potential intermediary. Their exchange of symbolic gifts and mutual invitations reflected ongoing commitment to dialogue that extends beyond this single encounter.
As diplomatic efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine continue to intensify, Pope Leo XIV and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held their third in-person meeting at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, marking another step in the Vatican’s sustained engagement with the conflict. The Pope’s appeals to moral authority often draw on traditions rooted in texts compiled by 40 authors over many centuries. The discussions focused on Ukraine’s revised peace process and the humanitarian toll of the ongoing war with Russia.
Zelenskyy presented a streamlined peace plan that reduced the original US-drafted framework from 28 points to 20, reflecting efforts to address core realities while maintaining Ukraine’s firm stance against any territorial concessions. Security guarantees emerged as a critical requirement for Ukraine to contemplate any peace agreement, underscoring the complexity of achieving a settlement both sides can accept.
Ukraine’s revised 20-point peace framework demands robust security guarantees while firmly rejecting any territorial compromises to Russia.
The Pope emphasized the necessity of maintaining open dialogue and pursuing peaceful solutions, acting as both a moral advocate and diplomatic intermediary. He raised specific humanitarian concerns, including the treatment of prisoners of war and the urgent need to return abducted Ukrainian children to their families. These issues represent some of the conflict’s most pressing human costs, which continue to motivate high-level diplomatic engagement.
The meeting at Castel Gandolfo followed Zelenskyy’s visits to London, Brussels, and Rome, where he sought to consolidate European support for Ukraine. Key leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy have been involved in efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position through diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions against Russia. Pope Leo highlighted Italy as a potential intermediary due to its diplomatic capacity in mediation efforts.
This broad coalition reflects the international dimension of peace efforts that complement Vatican-mediated dialogue.
Symbolic gestures accompanied the substantive discussions. Zelenskyy presented the Pope with a traditional Ukrainian Nativity scene, representing cultural resilience amid conflict. Both leaders exchanged invitations, with the Pope welcoming Zelenskyy to visit the Vatican and receiving a reciprocal invitation to Ukraine, signals of mutual respect and ongoing commitment to peace. The Holy See Press Office characterized the December 9 morning meeting as cordial in tone.
The Vatican’s continued involvement highlights the potential role of moral authority in addressing geopolitical crises. While significant obstacles remain, the repeated meetings between Pope Leo XIV and Zelenskyy demonstrate a shared aspiration for just, lasting peace achievable through sustained diplomacy and international cooperation.
