Francis' Third Audience For Zelensky: Catholic Church Banned By Russia
It was their third meeting since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the second in 2024.
Zelensky came in a large cavalcade through Rome.
The Vatican statement said nothing about the talks between Francis and Zelensky: "The discussions in the Secretariat of State [Cardinal Parolin] were dedicated to the state of the war and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, as well as to the ways in which it could be brought to an end, leading to a just and stable peace in the country."
In addition, "some questions concerning religious life" were discussed.
Francis has publicly condemned Ukraine's ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in the country in summer. Ukraine claimed that the church was a means for Russia to spy on the country.
Russia has done the same. In December 2023, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church reported that Russian authorities had banned the church in the occupied Zaporizhzhya region. The Russians also reportedly banned the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic charity Caritas.
Zelensky wrote after the meeting that he was counting on Francis' help to "bring back Ukrainians who have been captured by Russia".
Picture: Vatican Media, #newsTujbkmcncv