Pope confirms readiness of visit plan to Ukraine, but calls its realization difficult

Pope Leo XIV has confirmed that there is a ready plan for his visit to Ukraine, but its implementation is fraught with significant difficulties, primarily related to security issues. Despite this, the Vatican has already completed the stage of coordinating the necessary documentation for the trip. The pontiff also expressed hope for the speedy achievement of “just and lasting peace” in the country.

According to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform with reference to ANSA, the head of the Catholic Church made his statement during a private audience. “It would be good to go to Kiev, there is already a ready plan for the visit, but it is difficult to realize it, ” the agency quoted the Pope as saying.

Pope Leo specified that the main difficulties concern security, and did not name a specific date for the visit. However, he added that the Holy See had already completed the stage of coordinating the trip, demonstrating the seriousness of its intentions to visit Ukraine.

The Pontiff also expressed hope that all parties to the conflict will make efforts to achieve “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, and called on Italian diplomats to actively contribute to this process.

Recall, earlier we reported that Pope Leo XIV held talks with Vladimir Zelensky, which centered on achieving peace in the Russian-Ukrainian war. During an impromptu press conference in Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff also touched on the topics of future European security, peace initiatives and expressed cautious optimism about a possible visit to Kiev, while voicing concern about some aspects of US President Donald Trump’s plans.