Pope Leo XIV Meets Ukrainian and Vatican Summer Camp Children in Rome

Rome, July 3, 2025: Pope Leo XIV met with participants of the Vatican’s Estate Ragazzi in Vaticano summer camp, as well as with Ukrainian children currently hosted in Italy by Caritas Italiana, during a special event held on Thursday morning in the Paul VI Audience Hall in Rome.

The mid-morning gathering brought together more than 300 local children and young people enrolled in the Vatican’s annual summer programme, along with a similar number of Ukrainian children and adolescents currently spending the summer in Italy under the care of Caritas Italiana. The Pope arrived for the meeting shortly after concluding his official audiences for the day.

After being welcomed by the young volunteers working at the summer camp, the Pope spent time speaking with the children and answering several of their questions. Recalling his own childhood, he shared memories of attending Mass, a place where he encountered other children and friends, but above all, “the best friend of all: Jesus.”

Reflecting on the themes of diversity and welcome, Pope Leo addressed the Ukrainian children with words of greeting in English. He highlighted the importance of mutual respect and the need to look beyond differences.

“It is important to build bridges, to create friendship. We can all be friends, brothers, and sisters,” he said.

In response to a question about war, the Holy Father encouraged the children to become builders of peace and friendship, even from a young age.

“Do not enter into war or conflict and never promote hatred or envy,” he said, reminding them that “Jesus calls us all to be friends.” The Pope explained the importance of “learning from childhood to respect one another and to see the other as someone like myself.”

The children presented Pope Leo with a variety of gifts, including handmade crafts created during the summer camp, as well as drawings and artwork prepared by the Ukrainian children.

At the conclusion of the encounter, after taking group photos, Pope Leo invited everyone to pray the Hail Mary together and imparted his blessing on all those present.

Courtesy: Vatican News