During a meeting on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky gifted Pope Leo XIV a remarkable icon, crafted from a fragment of a crate used for heavy artillery brought from the area around Izium.

Source: Zelensky on Telegram

Direct quote: "Today we had the honor of presenting Pope Leo XIV with a special icon – 'Mother of God with Child', painted on a piece of a crate from heavy artillery that was brought from near Izium. This icon represents our children, those who have suffered due to the war, who were deliberately abducted by Russia, and who are eagerly awaited at home in Ukraine.

We pray for the well-being of all our deported children and hope for the Vatican's support in this matter, so that all – both the children and Ukrainian prisoners – can return home".

Background: President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska met with Pope Leo XIV following the completion of his inaugural mass at the Vatican.