On Friday 14 March, His Excellency Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine – as he himself subsequently made known – had a telephone conversation with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, during which he expressed his wishes for the swift recovery of the Holy Father Francis and provided information regarding the ceasefire initiative proposed by the United States, to which Ukraine has adhered.

In this regard, the Holy See, as it renews its prayers for peace in Ukraine, hopes that the Parties involved will take the opportunity for sincere dialogue, not subject to preconditions of any type and aimed at reaching a just and lasting peace. At the same time, it encourages every effort to be made to free prisoners.

From the Vatican, 17 March 2025