Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited Rome to meet political leaders ahead of an audience with Pope Francis. President Zelensky held a private meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, then met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a working lunch. The visit is considered to be important, with Zelensky stating on Twitter that it is for the "approaching victory of Ukraine." However, President Zelensky is not expected to meet Italian politicians Matteo Salvini or Silvio Berlusconi, who have expressed pro-Russian sentiments in the past. Pope Francis has expressed interest in mediating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, stating earlier this month that the Vatican is working on a peace plan to end the war. The German government has also unveiled its biggest military aid package for Ukraine yet, worth €2.7bn, with an adviser to President Zelensky saying it indicated that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame."

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