"An important visit to get closer to Ukraine's victory!" With this message entrusted to Twitter began the Ukrainian President's brief visit to Rome, "An important visit to get closer to Ukraine's victory!" Welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Saturday morning, Zelensky first met with President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and then paid a visit to Pope Francis. Meloni welcomed Zelensky with a hug and pledged Italy's "360-degree support" for Ukraine, particularly for wheat export initiatives. The same support was reiterated by Mattarella, who called the kidnapping of hundreds of Ukrainian children in Russia despicable. After telling the head of state that "our victory is peace," Zelensky then made his way to Vatican City, where he spent about 40 minutes behind closed doors with the Pontiff and a Ukrainian Franciscan friar who acted as interpreter. The content of the conversation - which for international observers was widely the most important of this Italian visit - is thus secret, and the only information about it was entrusted to a Holy See announcement: "The Pope assured of his constant prayers, witnessed by his many public appeals and continuous invocation to the Lord for peace since February last year. Both agreed on the need to continue humanitarian efforts in support of the population. The Pope particularly stressed the urgent need for 'gestures of humanity' toward the most fragile people, the innocent victims of the conflict." At the end of the meeting with Pope Francis, Zelensky then participated live political talk show "Porta a Porta" on RAI 1 TV broadcaster, closing the Italian visit by answering questions from the editors of Italian newspapers and news programs. (Photo by Quirinale)
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