Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Pope Leo XIV and thanked him for the Vatican’s efforts to help return children taken by Russia during the war.

It was the second time the two have met after exchanging greetings at the Vatican on May 18 in the context of the Mass inaugurating Pope Leo’s pontificate.

The Vatican did not say how long the meeting between Leo and Zelenskiy lasted. It released video showing Leo, the first U.S. pontiff, asking Zelenskiy "How are things going?" in E

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday and thanked him for the Vatican’s efforts to return children taken by Russia and again suggested the Vatican could host peace talks.

The Holy See stated that the Pope discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine with Zelenskyy and the “pressing need to pursue peace through dialogue.” “The Pope expressed his sorrow for the victims of the war and assured the Ukrainian people of his prayers and continued closeness,