Pope Francis calls Zelensky and expresses condolences

VATICAN CITY (RTR/DPA) – Pope Francis has welcomed Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky by telephone. The prelate called Kiev on Saturday afternoon, the Ukrainian embassy in Vatican City reported.

According to the embassy, ​​the Pope said he wanted to convey the deep pain he feels at the Russian invasion of Ukraine. No further details of the conversation have been released.

In a tweet, Zelensky thanked Pope Francis for his prayers for peace and a truce. “The Ukrainian people feel the spiritual support of His Holiness,” the president tweeted.

On Friday, Francis unexpectedly visited the Russian embassy to express his concerns about the Russian invasion. He also telephoned Svyatoslav Shevchuk, the leader of the Ukrainian Catholics, who has opened his cathedral in Kiev as a bomb shelter.