In a phone conversation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his unwavering support of Peace Formula, a collaborative initiative involving more than 80 states. President Zelensky, who posted details of the conversation on the official presidential website and his social media account, conveyed appreciation for Pope's Christmas greetings to Ukraine and his fervent wishes for peace.
During the dialogue, President Zelensky stated, "I have just spoken with His Holiness Pope Francis to express gratitude for his Christmas greetings to Ukraine and Ukrainians, for his wishes of peace – just peace for all of us. We discussed our joint work on the Peace Formula – more than 80 states are already involved at the level of their representatives. There will be more. I am grateful to the Vatican for supporting our work."
This marks the latest in a series of phone conversations between Pope Francis and President Zelensky, reflecting a strong bond between the Vatican and Ukraine during these challenging times. The Ukrainian President highlighted the support received from the Pope during the ongoing conflict with Russia, emphasizing the Pope's deep sorrow for the tragic events and expressing gratitude for his spiritual support.
Their initial phone conversation took place on February 26, 2022, just two days after the outbreak of the war, with subsequent discussions occurring on March 22, 2022, and August 12, 2022. President Zelensky shared details of the dire humanitarian situation with Pope Francis, welcoming the Holy See's offer to mediate and seeking a solution to alleviate human suffering.
The relationship between Pope Francis and President Zelensky has strengthened, with Pope extending prayers and support for the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainian President also invited Pope Francis to visit Kyiv, acknowledging Pope's efforts in bringing attention to the horrors endured by the Ukrainian people due to Russia's invasion. The ongoing collaboration between the Vatican and Ukraine in the pursuit of peace remains a central focus of their discussions, with more than 80 states actively engaged in the Peace Formula initiative.