Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been meeting Pope Leo this morning as part of his visit to Italy.

The pope “reiterated the need for the continuation of dialogue and expressed his urgent desire that the current diplomatic initiatives bring about a just and lasting peace,” during their talks at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican said in a statement.

“In addition, the questions of prisoners of war and the need to assure the return of Ukrainian children to their families were also discussed.”

Speaking on social media after their meeting, Zelenskyy, who is due to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome later, said he “deeply appreciates” all the pope’s support and said  he had invited him to visit Ukraine.