Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Pope Francis on Friday and sought his help in securing the return of adults and children taken prisoner by Russia. Ukraine has previously asked for help from the Vatican to return children forcibly taken to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met privately with Pope Francis on Friday where the two exchanged gifts in what appeared to be an easing of recent tensions between the two.

By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican on Friday for help in securing the release of Ukrainians held captive by Russia.

Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the San Damaso courtyard ahead of a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, October 11, 2024. REUTERS/Remo Casilli VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Vatican on Friday morning for their second face-to-face encounter in four months.

Pope Francis met Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican on Friday, the latest step on the Ukrainian president's European tour to win support for his proposed “victory plan” aimed at ending the war with Russia.

Pope Francis received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a private meeting at the Vatican on Friday, though there were no initial details about the content of the talks. However, the Holy See said the meeting lasted half an hour and that Zelensky presented the head of the Catholic Church with a painting entitled "The Bucha Massacre,