Pope Francis met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the third time at the Vatican, where they discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and its devastating effects on the country, particularly on its children. According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis lamented that many Ukrainian children have "lost the ability to smile" due to the hardships they have endured.

The 35-minute meeting took place in the Apostolic Palace and marks the fourth time the two leaders have met, with previous encounters occurring in May 2023, February 2020, and during the G7 summit in June 2023.

The Holy See Press Office stated that the meeting focused on the state of the war and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. Discussions were also held on possible paths to end the conflict and achieve a "just and stable peace." In addition to the war, religious life in Ukraine was addressed during the talks.

Following the audience with Pope Francis, President Zelensky met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

Pope Francis later emphasized the right of all nations to live in peace and security, posting on X: “Their territories must not be attacked, and their sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed through peace and dialogue. War and hatred bring only death and destruction for everyone. "Peace."

During the customary exchange of gifts, President Zelensky presented Pope with an oil painting titled "The Bucha Massacre. The Story of Marichka". In return, Pope Francis gifted the Ukrainian leader a bronze casting of a flower engraved with the inscription, "Peace is a fragile flower," along with several papal documents and a book about Ukrainian Greek Catholics under Soviet persecution.

Pope Francis has consistently called for an end to the war in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion, advocating for peace and the cessation of suffering. The Vatican has also sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including ambulances, medical supplies, and other forms of support, showing the Pope's  deep concern for the Ukrainian people.