Pope Francis on March 22 spoke for a second time by phone with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said he would welcome a Vatican mediation to bring about an end to the Russian invasion against the country.
The call, which was first made public on social media by Ukraine’s Vatican ambassador, and then by Zelensky’s own Twitter account, was later confirmed by the Holy See press office. The Vatican did not provide a read out of the conversation.
According to Zelensky’s account, during his call with Francis, the president said he discussed the “difficult humanitarian situation and the blocking of rescue corridors by Russian troops.”
He went on to note that Ukraine would welcome a mediation from the Holy See to help end the conflict, something the Vatican has offered on numerous occasions, though Russia has yet to express interest in such an option.