Newly elected Pope Leo XIV held his first known phone call with a foreign leader on Monday, May 12, speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in what was described as a warm and meaningful exchange.
In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy said the two leaders discussed proposals for a ceasefire and the plight of Ukrainian children forcibly taken by Russia since the full-scale invasion began. The Ukrainian president also extended an invitation to the pontiff to visit Ukraine.
“Our first conversation was very warm and truly substantive,” Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing the importance of the Pope’s involvement in peace efforts and humanitarian issues.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed to Reuters that the call took place but declined to provide further details about the conversation.
This marks a new chapter in the Vatican’s engagement with the ongoing war. Ukraine had a complicated relationship with Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor, Pope Francis, who died on April 21. While Francis consistently denounced the war as unjust and referred to Ukraine as a “martyred nation,” his refusal to directly condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin disappointed many Ukrainians.
Pope Leo XIV echoed a message of peace during his first Sunday address, calling for an end to all wars—an appeal that sets the tone for his papacy as conflict continues to dominate the global stage.
