The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican
12 December 2025, 13:20
Within the framework of his working visit to Rome, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk visited the Vatican, where he met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
During the audience, Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his deep gratitude for the Holy Father's unwavering spiritual support for Ukraine, his prayers for peace, and his special attention to the Ukrainian people during this time of great hardship.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine informed His Holiness about ongoing consultations between Ukraine, the USA and European partners, emphasising the importance of coordination positions and maintaining international unity. He highlighted that Ukraine seeks peace, but not according to the aggressor's terms - not through concessions and not at the cost of legitimising the occupation of Ukrainian territories.
Separately, it was mentioned an important role of the Vatican and Rome in the international peace process as moral authorities, capable of contributing to solutions based on international law and respect for human dignity.
Ruslan Stefanchuk conveyed words of gratitude from Ukrainian communities to His Holiness and invited him to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would be a powerful sign of solidarity and spiritual support for millions of Ukrainians.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the warm and meaningful conversation and expressed his confidence that the spiritual strength and moral leadership of the Holy See would contribute to the advancement of a just peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe.