Aboard the papal plane, Apr 2 (EFE).- The pope could travel to Ukraine, the scene of a war after the invasion of Russia, because when he was asked during the flight that took him to Malta if he was taking into consideration the invitation to go to kyiv, Francis replied: “yes, it is on the table”.
Both the president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, and the mayor of kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, have invited the pontiff to travel to that country to show their proximity to the Ukrainian population for a war that the pope has repeatedly criticized, in addition to offering to do “everything necessary” to achieve its end.
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Francisco and Zelensky spoke by phone on March 22, when the Ukrainian president assured the pontiff that “he is the most awaited guest in the country”, while the pope told him that he is “praying and doing everything possible to put an end to the war, provoked after the invasion of Russia”.
Previously, Klitschko sent a letter to Francis inviting him to visit the city: “We believe that the presence of the world’s religious leaders in kyiv is key to saving lives and paving the way for peace in our city, in our country, and in everywhere,” the mayor then wrote.
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The Vatican confirmed the arrival of the letter, adding that Francis “was close to the sufferings of the city, its people, those who had to flee and those who are called to administer it.”
(c) EFE Agency