On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV visited a children's camp in the Vatican, where children from Ukraine were also present that day.
This was reported by Vatican News.
Children from Ukraine, welcomed to Italy for the summer by Caritas Italiana, joined the children of Vatican employees for a day at the annual children's camp in the Vatican. During the event, Pope Leo XIV met with the children.
The pontiff spoke with those present and answered several questions.
He spoke about diversity and hospitality while addressing Ukrainian children in English. He emphasized the importance of respecting one another and not focusing on differences, but instead building bridges and friendships. "We can all be friends, brothers, and sisters," he said.
When asked about war, the Holy Father explained that from an early age, we must learn to be builders of peace and friendship instead of waging war and spreading hatred and envy. "Jesus calls us all to be friends," he noted, highlighting the need to respect one another and see others as someone as ourselves.
The children presented the Pope with various gifts, including some handmade crafts they had created during the summer camp, along with souvenirs, drawings, and artworks created by Ukrainian children and teenagers.