VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV sent a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday (Aug. 24), the anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, in which he expressed his concern for the war-torn country and its people.
“I wish to reassure you of my prayers for the people of Ukraine who suffer from war — especially for all those wounded in body, for those bereaved by the death of a loved one, and for those deprived of their homes,” Leo wrote.
“May God Himself console them: may He strengthen the injured and grant eternal rest to the departed,” he said.
The pope also appealed to people of goodwill “that the clamour of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue, opening the path to peace for the good of all.”
Zelenskyy, who published the pope’s letter on X, also thanked the pope in his post for “his thoughtful words, prayer, and attention to the people of Ukraine amid devastating war” and reiterated his desire to achieve peace. “We appreciate (the pope’s) moral leadership and apostolic support,” he added.
On Friday (Aug. 22), Leo called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace on the feast of the Queenship of the Virgin Mary, which re …