Zelensky due in Rome Saturday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be welcomed in Rome by Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella on Saturday, Italy’s presidential palace said.

Zelensky is also expected to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis during his visit.

Ever since she came to power, Meloni has been a firm supporter of Ukraine in its attempts to fight off the Russian invasion.

Pope Francis has been calling on the faithful to pray for Ukraine almost daily for more than a year, and has regularly appealed to Kiev and Moscow
to agree on ceasefire.

The pope is yet to accept Kiev’s invitations to visit the Ukrainian capital, saying he would only go if also invited to Russia.

(dpa/NAN)