A political source reported that "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Ciampino Airport in Rome today, Saturday." Zelensky stated today that he is "on a visit to Rome to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Pope of the Vatican, Pope Francis." He wrote on Twitter: "An important visit for approaching victory for Ukraine."
Earlier, the Pope mentioned in late April that "the Holy See is participating in a peace mission to end the war with Russia." Meloni visited Zelensky in Kyiv in February to confirm Italy's continuing support for Ukraine, despite some of her allies, notably former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, having long-standing ties with Moscow. The meeting with Pope Francis will be the most significant item on Zelensky's agenda during his visit to Italy. He had met with the Pope at the Vatican in 2020, and they have had several phone conversations since the war began.
