Zelenskyy Tells Pope Russia 'Wants War to Continue'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reached out to the Vatican to send ailing Pope Francis good wishes and thanked the pontiff for his prayers in support of his war-torn country.

Zelenskyy added that Russia "is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down."

"I spoke with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. I wished Pope Francis a speedy recovery and thanked him for his prayers and moral support for our people, as well as for his efforts in facilitating the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported and displaced by Russia," Zelenskyy wrote Friday morning on X. "The Holy See has received a list of Ukrainians being held in Russian prisons and camps. We are counting on the support for their release.

"The exchange of prisoners and an unconditional 30-day full interim ceasefire are the first quick steps that could significantly bring us closer to a just and lasting peace. Ukraine is ready to take these steps because the Ukrainian people want peace more than anyone. Meanwhile, the world sees how Russia is deliberately setting conditions that only complicate and drag out the process, as Russia is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down."

The Kremlin said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had sent President Donald Trump a message about his proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine via Trump's special envoy and that there were grounds for "cautious optimism."

Putin held late night talks in Moscow with Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, to discuss the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Kyiv has already accepted the idea.

Meanwhile, the pope marked the 12th anniversary of his pontificate Thursday in the hospital as he received increasingly positive medical news on his recovery. He has been hospitalized and under treatment for a complex lung infection since Feb. 14.

"The voice of the Holy See is very important on the path to peace. I am grateful for the readiness to make efforts towards our shared goal," Zelenskyy wrote to end his X post about his message to the pope.

"Thank you for your prayers for Ukraine and for peace."

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this story.