President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Pope Leo XIV.

The Head of State wished His Holiness a full and speedy recovery following surgery. The Pope underwent surgery to remove a growth in his right lung that had been detected at an early stage.

“We are grateful that even during this difficult time for him personally, His Holiness remembers Ukraine and prays for our people,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The President briefed the Pope in detail on the situation with Russian escalation and Russia’s constant strikes on Ukrainian cities and communities.

The Head of State and the Pope discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in temporarily occupied Oleshky. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is working to help our people there and is preparing the necessary decisions. His Holiness informed him about contacts with the Russian side on this matter.

The conversation also covered current security challenges and threats, including the periodic lack of warnings from partners about Russian ballistic missile attacks, which has happened three times recently.

The President thanked His Holiness for his support and all his efforts to achieve a dignified peace.