Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday (December 9) that his country "deeply appreciates" the humanitarian support of Pope Leo following a meeting between the two at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo.

"I informed the Pope about diplomatic efforts with the United States to achieve peace. We discussed further actions and the Vatican's mediation aimed at returning our children abducted by Russia," he wrote on X.

Zelenskiy added that he had invited the pontiff to visit Ukraine.

Leo stressed the need to continue with dialogue aimed at a "just and lasting peace" during the meeting, the Vatican said in a statement.

Zelenskiy is due to see Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome later in the day.

The talks with the pope and Meloni come amid efforts by Zelenskiy, with the help of European allies, to balance out a U.S.-backed draft peace deal with Russia that is widely seen as favourable to Moscow.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CASTEL GANDOLFO, ITALY (DECEMBER 9, 2025) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO SHAKING HANDS WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY

2. VARIOUS OF POPE MEETING ZELENSKIY

3. VARIOUS OF POPE AND ZELENSKIY EXCHANGING GIFTS

4. VARIOUS OF POPE AND ZELENSKIY POSING FOR PICTURES WITH DELEGATES

5. POPE AND ZELENSKIY SHAKING HANDS

6. VARIOUS OF GIFTS

7. VARIOUS OF ZELENSKIY LEAVING