Earlier, in his homily, Pope Leo said he wanted the Church to be a “leaven for a reconciled world”, calling for peace.
In response, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram: “We are grateful for the special words spoken today at the solemn mass about the need for a just peace and for the attention given to Ukraine and our people.
“Every nation deserves to live in peace and security.”
He offered his congratulations to the pope “on the beginning of such a special mission”.
“May the prayers for a just peace and a dignified life for all people be heard,” he said.
The late Pope Francis met Zelenskyy several times and repeatedly called for peace in Ukraine, even appointing a special envoy who visited Kyiv and Moscow.
But many Ukrainians remember him bitterly for failing to clearly blame Russia for its invasion and calling for Ukraine to raise the “white flag”.
Moscow and Kyiv held their first direct talks in more than three years this week but did not agree a truce.
In his Regina Coeli prayer at the end of the mass, Pope Leo also noted: “In Gaza, children, families and elderly survivors are reduced to hunger.”
And he recalled how “in Myanmar, new hostilities have destroyed innocent young lives”.
