Stefanchuk meets with Pope at Vatican
According to Ukrinform, Stefanchuk reported this on Facebook.
"As part of my working visit to Rome, I visited the Vatican, where I had the honour of meeting His Holiness Pope Leo XIV," Stefanchuk noted.
During the audience, the Speaker of Parliament "expressed my deep gratitude for the Holy See's unwavering spiritual support for Ukraine, for prayers for peace, and for the special attention His Holiness extends to our people in this time of profound hardship."
Stefanchuk and Pope Leo XIV discussed the humanitarian situation, particularly ways to strengthen international efforts aimed at returning Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia, Ukrainian prisoners of war, and civilian hostages.
The Speaker informed Pope Leo XIV about Ukraine's ongoing consultations with the United States and European partners, stressing the importance of coordinating positions and maintaining international unity.
As Stefanchuk emphasized, "Ukraine seeks peace — but a peace that does not entail concessions to the aggressor and does not legitimise the occupation of our territories."
He emphasised "the important role of the Vatican and Rome in the international peace process — as moral authorities capable of uniting positions and fostering solutions grounded in international law and human dignity."
Stefanchuk conveyed words of gratitude from Ukrainian communities to Pope Leo XIV and invited him to make an Apostolic visit to Ukraine.
"Such a visit would be a powerful sign of solidarity and spiritual support for millions of Ukrainians in these difficult times," he stressed.
The Speaker thanked Pope Leo XIV for the warm conversation and added: "I am confident that the spiritual strength and moral leadership of the Holy See will help bring a just peace closer for Ukraine and for all of Europe."
As Ukrinform reported, on December 9 Pope Leo XIV received President Volodymyr Zelensky in an audience at the Castel Gandolfo residence, where they discussed the war in Ukraine.
Photo: Facebook/Ruslan Stefanchuk
