Zelensky of Ukraine expects to meet Pope Francis on Saturday World news

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyis is expected to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday, days after the Pope said the Holy See was involved in a peacekeeping mission to try to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The planned tour has not been officially announced. Pope Francis did not give further details about the peace initiative.

There was no immediate comment from the Kyiv government on reports of a possible trip. Zelensky’s office did not release details of his travel plans ahead of time for security reasons.

An Italian political source confirmed that Zelensky could be in Rome over the weekend and said that if that is the case, he will also meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is a strong defender of Ukraine, which Russia hits in February 2022.

News of the planned visit was first reported by Italy’s Ansa news agency. He said Zelenskiy also hopes to travel to Germany this weekend.

Since the invasion, the pope has appealed for peace every week and has repeatedly expressed his willingness to act as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow. Your offer has failed to produce any breakthrough.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met the Pope last month and said he had discussed a “peace proposal” put forward by Zelensky. He said he had also invited the pontiff to visit Kyiv.

Pope Francis, 86, has previously said he wants to visit Kyiv and Moscow on a peace mission.

Thousands upon thousands have been killed and millions have been destroyed and entire cities have been destroyed during the war in Ukraine.