Rome: According to the Vatican, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky will travel to Rome and meet on Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian officials.
Giorgia Meloni, the premier of Italy, who vehemently supports providing Ukraine with military and other aid, as well as President Sergio Mattarella, will be the subjects of midday meetings between Zelensky and them.
Security reasons prevented the precise schedule of Zelensky from being made public, and the Vatican only confirmed a papal meeting a short time before Zelensky's anticipated arrival in Rome.
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A no-fly zone had been imposed over Rome's skies, and police sharpshooters had been placed in strategic locations on tall buildings as part of the protective measures, according to Italian state television.
Shortly before the anniversary of Russia's complete invasion on February 24, 2022, Meloni and Zelensky met in Kiev.
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The last time Francis and the Ukrainian president met was in 2020. Francis is eager for peace. The pope frequently makes fervent appeals on behalf of Ukraine's "martyred" people.
Francis mentioned the Vatican's involvement in a covert peace mission to reporters on a flight from Hungary to Rome at the end of April, but he did not elaborate. A similar initiative has not been confirmed by Russia or Ukraine.
