Parolin: It is premature to talk about Pope Leo’s trip to Kyiv

Pope Leo XIV. Photo: @Vatican Media

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that it is premature to discuss whether Pope Leo XIV will accept the invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Kyiv. He made this statement to journalists on May 14, 2025, on the sidelines of a conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

According to Parolin, it is "premature" to speculate about a possible visit by Pope Leo to Ukraine in response to the invitation made by Zelensky during a phone call on May 12.

"No, this is premature, there was an invitation from President Zelensky, now the Pope will weigh what to do," said the Vatican Secretary of State.

Pietro Parolin added that the Pontiff himself does not yet have a definite answer. " I don't think even he, at this point, will say yes or no," the cardinal noted.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Vatican Secretary of State said that the pope’s first visit will be to Nicaea.

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