Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine following their first official phone conversation on Monday.

Zelenskyy, writing on his official X handle, described the discussion with the new head of the Catholic Church as "warm and truly substantive" and expressed hope that such a visit would "bring real hope to all believers and to all our people."

The Vatican has not yet issued an official response to the invitation. However, Zelenskyy is expected to attend the mass for the inauguration of the new pope at the Vatican on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

The newly elected US-born pontiff has already demonstrated support for Ukraine, which has been fighting to repel a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022. During his first Sunday prayer before more than 100,000 people, Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with what he called the "beloved Ukrainian people."

"May everything possible be done to reach an authentic, just and lasting peace, as soon as possible," the Pope stated. "May all prisoners be released and the children be able to return to their families."

The Vatican has reportedly attempted to mediate between Ukraine and Russia over the past three years, though these efforts have yielded limited success. A papal visit to Ukraine could potentially reinvigorate peace efforts in the region.

This development comes as the Catholic Church prepares for the formal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, with world leaders, including representatives from Nigeria and other African nations, expected to attend the ceremony.