Zelenskyy shares Pope’s letter on Ukraine Independence Day

The Pope assured the president of prayers for Ukrainians suffering in the war and expressed his hope that “the clamour of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue”.

“With a heart wounded by the violence that ravages your land, I address you on this day of your national feast,” the Pope wrote in the letter, which Mr Zelenskyy shared on the social media platform X.

“I wish to assure you of my prayer 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,” the Pope said. “May God himself console them; may he strengthen the injured and grant eternal rest to the departed.”

The Pope said he was entrusting Ukraine “to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace”, and prayed that “the path to peace for the good of all” would be opened.

Mr Zelenskyy, in his X post, thanked the Pope: “I am sincerely grateful to His Holiness for his thoughtful words, prayer and attention to the people of Ukraine amid devastating war. All of our hopes and efforts are for our nation to achieve the long-awaited peace. For good, trust and justice to prevail. We appreciate @pontifex’s moral leadership and apostolic support.”

Ukraine’s Independence Day, celebrated annually on August 24, commemorates the country’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

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Zelenskyy shares letter from Pope Leo XIV on Ukraine’s Independence Day (By Courtney Mares/CNA)