VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Pope Leo XIV for his support of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and he invited the newly-elected pontiff to visit the war-torn nation. “I spoke with Pope Leo XIV. The president said he “thanked His Holiness for his support of Ukraine and all our people. We deeply value his words about the need to achieve a just and lasting peace for our country and the release of prisoners. He told Pope Leo that Ukraine remains ready for “further negotiations in any format, including direct talks — a position we have repeatedly emphasized.