According to the pontiff, the Vatican has already developed an organizational plan for the visit to Kyiv, but “it is difficult to implement.”
During a closed audience, Leo XIV expressed hope that he would make a visit to Ukraine, but added that he “does not know when” it will take place.
“You need to be realistic about such things,” the pope added.
The Pontiff again expressed his desire to make every effort to achieve a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
Context
On December 9, Leo XIV received the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky for the second time. The Ukrainian president also attended the inaugural mass of the pontiff.
On the same day, the Pope confirmed the Vatican’s readiness to facilitate peace negotiations on Ukraine and emphasized that it is impossible to achieve a just peace without the participation of Europe. To Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine, he replied that he hoped that this would happen someday.
