Pope Leo XIV received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 9, 2025, at midday in his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, where he is spending a vacation from July 6 to 20. During the meeting, the Pope reiterated his willingness to host “negotiations” between the Russian and Ukrainian parties at the Vatican.
In the early afternoon, Zelensky went to the Villa Barberini, Leo XIV's summer residence, for an audience.
The two heads of state “discussed the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for a just and lasting peace,” according to a statement from the Holy See. The Pope “expressed his sorrow for the victims” and assured the Ukrainian people of his prayers and closeness.
This was their second private meeting, following the one that took place at the Vatican shortly after the installation Mass of the 267th pope on May 18. The Ukrainian president also spoke by phone with the new Pontiff on May 12, a few days after his election.
Before Leo XIV, Volodymyr Zelensky met Pope Francis on several occasions. While Francis appealed for peace in Ukraine in nearly every public address, the Ukrainian government criticized some statements by the Argentine pope. It particularly denounced one in which Francis defended the courage of those who raise “the white flag.”
However, Francis' appointment of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as special representative to negotiate prisoner releases in the spring of 2023 was welcomed by Kiev, despite mixed results of the mission.
The Vatican still available for mediation
During the meeting at Castel Gandolfo, Leo XIV once again encouraged the release of prisoners and “the search for shared solutions.”
Upon leaving Villa Barberini, President Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the Pope for his action on behalf of Ukrainian children. He also reiterated his invitation to the Pope to visit Ukraine.
During the audience, the Pope also affirmed his willingness to welcome representatives of Russia and Ukraine to the Vatican “for negotiations,” according to the statement. The Holy See has repeatedly offered to mediate since the Russian invasion.
In May, US President Donald Trump supported the idea of mediation at the Vatican. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov deemed it “unrealistic” to organize a peace summit between two “Orthodox countries” on “Catholic soil” -- this is a reference to both Russia and Ukraine being majority Eastern Orthodox countries.
After his meeting with Leo XIV, President Zelensky strongly supported the Holy See's proposal. “We are counting heavily on the Vatican and His Holiness to help us organize a high-level meeting to end this war,” he said.
On X, he wrote that the proposal “remains open and entirely possible,” but that Russia continues to reject the idea.
Rest and meetings
During their vacations, popes have always remained available for certain political audiences. Visits by heads of state to Castel Gandolfo were particularly numerous during the pontificate of John Paul II. He received, among others, US Presidents George Bush Sr. and Jr., Emperor Akihito of Japan, President Mobutu of Zaire, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
For Leo, whose schedule is considerably lighter during his stay in Castel Gandolfo, today was marked by a Mass “For the Protection of Creation” in the gardens and in the presence of the staff.
Next Sunday, he will preside over a Mass at the parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo, then recite the Angelus prayer in front of the Apostolic Palace.
