During a working visit to Rome, Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, traveled to the Vatican, where he met with Pope Leo XIV, highlighting the Holy See’s moral influence amid Europe’s most serious security crisis in decades.

At the audience, Stefanchuk expressed deep gratitude for the Pope’s unwavering spiritual support for Ukraine, for prayers for peace, and for the personal attention the Pontiff has shown to the Ukrainian people during what he described as their most severe trials.

The two discussed the humanitarian situation, with a particular focus on strengthening international efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia, as well as Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages.

Stefanchuk briefed the Pope on Ukraine’s ongoing consultations with the United States and European partners, stressing the importance of close coordination and the preservation of international unity. He underscored that Ukraine seeks peace, but not on the aggressor’s terms—rejecting concessions or any scenario that would legitimize the occupation of Ukrainian territory.

The meeting also highlighted the Vatican’s and Rome’s broader role in the international peace process as moral authorities capable of advancing solutions grounded in international law and respect for human dignity.

Conveying the gratitude of Ukrainian communities, Stefanchuk invited Pope Leo XIV to undertake an apostolic visit to Ukraine, calling such a trip a powerful symbol of solidarity and spiritual support for millions of Ukrainians.

Thanking the Pontiff for what he described as a warm and substantive conversation, Stefanchuk said he was confident that the Holy See’s spiritual strength and moral leadership could help bring a just peace closer—not only for Ukraine, but for Europe as a whole.