In a video message on Tuesday evening, he said with regard to the Russian war of aggression: "It is very important for us and for the cause of peace that the Vatican is actively committed to the protection of life and helps us to implement the peace formula, especially with regard to the liberation of prisoners."
At the same time, the head of state praised the five-day visit by the Pope's chief diplomat, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
Zelenskyi saw his visit as a signal of support for Ukraine and the Ukrainians as well as their desire "to live in our own state and truly live in peace".
His meeting with Parolin was good, said the President.
"I hope that the results will follow," he added. On Tuesday, Parolin had conveyed "the Pope's closeness" to Zelensky and reaffirmed the Church leader's commitment to a "just and lasting peace for the martyred Ukraine", according to the Vatican Secretariat of State.
Hardly any tangible results from Zuppi's mission
The President honoured the Cardinal with the Ukrainian Order of Merit.
Parolin was honoured for outstanding personal services to intergovernmental cooperation, support for the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as his significant contribution to the promotion of the Ukrainian state in the world, the statement said.
Ukraine has repeatedly thanked the Vatican for its mediation in the exchange of prisoners of war with Russia.
Pope Francis had sent the Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as a special envoy to Kiev and Moscow for talks in the summer of 2023.
However, apart from the Vatican's good offices in the humanitarian field, the peace mission brought hardly any tangible results.