Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy arrives Rome to meet Pope Francis, others
By Christian George
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived Rome on Saturday to meet with Pope Francis and other key government officials.
This happens to be Zelenskyy’s first visit to the nation since Russia invaded the country in February last year.
According to a report by TVP World, he is to separately meet with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before heading to the Vatican.
He is also expected to be the guest of a popular Italian television talk show before heading to Germany.
It is his meeting with Pope Francis that is the most prominent as he had last met with the religious leader in 2020 and had since then been having telephone conversation for Ukraine’s victory.”Today in Rome. I’m meeting with President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister of Italy @GiorgiaMeloni and the Pope @Pontifex. An important visit for approaching victory of Ukraine! 🇮🇹🤝🇺🇦🤝🇻🇦
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 13, 2023,” he posted.
At the start of the war, the Pope took a balanced approach to the conflict in hopes of being a mediator but later began forcefully condemning Russia actions, comparing them to some of the worst crimes against Ukraine during the Soviet era.
However, while returning from a trip to Hungary on April 30, Pope Francis made an intriguing but puzzling comment about the Vatican being involved in a mission to try to end the war. “There is a mission in course now but it is not yet public. When it is public, I will reveal it,” he told reporters during his flight home.