Shmyhal asked Pope Francis to help return abducted Ukrainian children

According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Prime Minister said this at a press conference in Rome.

"I asked His Holiness for help in returning home Ukrainians, Ukrainian children who are being held, arrested, deported to Russia by criminal means," Shmyhal said.

He noted that he discussed with Pope Francis the formula for peace proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky and a possible way to implement it, as well as Vatican's assistance in this matter.

"I also invited His Holiness to personally visit Ukraine," added the prime minister.

Shmyhal arrived in Italy on Wednesday, April 26. In Rome, he participated in a bilateral conference on the restoration of Ukraine, and met with the President, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, and the heads of the chambers of the Italian parliament.

Pope Francis received Shmyhal on April 27, on the eve of the pontiff's apostolic visit to Hungary.