• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posts on X March 14, 2025, about a conversation he had with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. (CNS photo/screen grab from X)

As ceasefire talk continues, Zelenskyy says he spoke with Cardinal Parolin

March 14, 2025
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
Filed Under: News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the United States continues to attempt to broker a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with the Vatican secretary of state.

In a long post on X March 14, the Ukrainian leader said that during the conversation with 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.”

“The Holy See has received a list of Ukrainians being held in Russian prisons and camps. We are counting on support for their release,” the president posted.

The Vatican press office later confirmed the phone call took place. The topics included the pope’s health, the situation in Ukraine, the possibility of a ceasefire and the return of children taken from Ukraine into Russia, it said.

Pope Francis confirmed in April 2023 that the Holy See had acted as an intermediary in several prisoner exchange negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna was appointed by the pope to serve as his peace envoy for Ukraine and has been working to secure the return of thousands of Ukrainian children taken into Russia.

After speaking to Cardinal Parolin March 14, Zelenskyy reaffirmed his position that “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.”

When Zelenskyy met in February with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, he said that in the past Russian leader Vladimir Putin had reneged on agreements to exchange prisoners.

“The Ukrainian people want peace more than anyone,” Zelenskyy wrote in his post on X after speaking with Cardinal Parolin. “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.”

Putin, at a news conference March 13, said he also wanted a ceasefire, but he said the agreement would need to include: the surrender of Ukrainian forces in Russian territory, guarantees that Ukraine would not use the ceasefire period to remobilize and some form of monitoring of the agreement.

Zelenskyy expressed his hope on X that the Vatican could help move the process forward.

“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,” he wrote. “Thank you for your prayers for Ukraine and for peace.”

Read More War in Ukraine

Pope says he hopes Trump-Putin meeting leads to ceasefire in Ukraine

Advocate pleads for Vatican aid as Russian adoption database shows Ukraine’s children

Pope prays world leaders recognize their responsibility for peace

Pope Leo stands with youth in Gaza, Ukraine, calls for dialogue, not war

Pope to Ukrainian Greek Catholics: ‘God will have the last word,’ ‘life will conquer death’

Pope Leo XIV’s diplomatic efforts may impact U.S. foreign policy, analyst says

Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Cindy Wooden

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Mary’s assumption: The long-held belief was declared dogma 75 years ago

  • Statue of Confederate general known as anti-Catholic to be reinstalled in nation’s capital

  • Gun buyback exceeds expectations, previous totals

  • Project PLASE hopes Beacon House Square shines a light in Southwest Baltimore 

  • Movie Review: ‘Freakier Friday’

| Latest Local News |

Project PLASE hopes Beacon House Square shines a light in Southwest Baltimore 

Baltimore NBCC leader among People of Life awards winners

Gun buyback exceeds expectations, previous totals

Radio Interview: The situation in Gaza with Catholic Near East Welfare Association

Patrick Brice sentenced to home detention for attacks on elderly pro-life supporters

| Latest World News |

Texas woman sues ex-partner, abortion pill provider, alleging she was given drugs without consent

Canadian court OKs priest’s abuse suit against prominent priest, religious order

Judge blocks religious exemption to birth control coverage; Little Sisters of the Poor to appeal

Catholic University of America Press to publish Pope Leo’s dissertation

Pope says he hopes Trump-Putin meeting leads to ceasefire in Ukraine

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Texas woman sues ex-partner, abortion pill provider, alleging she was given drugs without consent
  • Canadian court OKs priest’s abuse suit against prominent priest, religious order
  • Project PLASE hopes Beacon House Square shines a light in Southwest Baltimore 
  • Judge blocks religious exemption to birth control coverage; Little Sisters of the Poor to appeal
  • Catholic University of America Press to publish Pope Leo’s dissertation
  • Mary’s assumption: The long-held belief was declared dogma 75 years ago
  • Baltimore NBCC leader among People of Life awards winners
  • Pope says he hopes Trump-Putin meeting leads to ceasefire in Ukraine
  • Sisters of Life ‘are the very mirror of God,’ cardinal says as 3 take perpetual vows

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en