Zelensky meets Pope as Germany unveils more arms for Ukraine

ROME, Italy, May 15 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Pope Francis Saturday during a trip to Rome, as Berlin unveiled a huge new weapons package ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Zelensky spent 40 minutes with the 86-year-old pontiff at the Vatican, after earlier meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has strongly backed Kyiv in the wake of Russia's February 2022 invasion. "I am very grateful to him for his personal attention to the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians," Zelensky said on Telegram after his audience with the pope, the first since February 2020.

He said they had also discussed the fate of "tens of thousands of children" that Kyiv says were deported to Russia, as well as his plans for peace. Francis has repeatedly called for peace in Ukraine and has sought to play a mediating role, although his efforts have yet to yield any results and he has faced criticism for failing to put the blame on Russia for the war.

The Vatican, without mentioning Russia, said the pair discussed "the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine caused by the ongoing war", and the need for "human gestures towards the most fragile people". It was Zelensky's first visit to EU and NATO member Italy since Russia invaded its neighbour and was due to be followed by a visit to Berlin Sunday.

Germany on Saturday announced a new weapons package worth 2.7 billion euros ($2.95 billion) for Ukraine, reportedly the biggest from Berlin since Russia's invasion.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com