On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the suffering of the Ukrainian people; President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to his words, urging assistance in the return of Ukrainians held captive by Russia.

Source:  "European Truth"

Details:  On June 28, an official statement from Pope Leo XIV regarding Ukraine was published in Ukrainian on his official page on X. 

"I wish to express my solidarity with suffering Ukraine, with children, youth, the elderly, and particularly with families mourning their loved ones. I share your pain for the captives and victims of this senseless war", – the statement reads.

Hours later, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the post, thanking the Pope for his "constant prayers and condolences for Ukraine and our people".

"Together, we must stop this arbitrary Russian aggression and protect innocent lives. We need a just peace. We would also be deeply grateful for your help in returning all our people – adults and children – who are being held in Russian captivity against their will", – wrote Zelensky. 

It is worth noting that in his first conversation with the Russian leader in early June, Leo XIV called on him to "make a gesture for peace". 

Pope Leo XIV offered the Vatican as a venue for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. This idea was supported by Kyiv, European countries, and the USA, but Moscow declined.