The pontiff reaffirmed the Holy See’s willingness to host negotiations during a call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following outreach to Kyiv and Washington.
Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday reaffirmed that the Vatican is prepared to serve as a host for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, continuing diplomatic efforts to help end the war now in its third year.
The pontiff’s offer came during a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who reached out on behalf of a coalition of Western leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump. The aim, Meloni said, is to “build a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
During the call, Pope Leo reiterated the “willingness of the Holy See to host the negotiations,” according to the Vatican. The Italian government responded by expressing “deep gratitude for the openness and tireless commitment to peace.”
The Holy See’s readiness was first signaled in recent days following a private audience between the pope and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, shortly after the Mass marking the beginning of Leo XIV’s pontificate.
“Martyrized Ukraine longs for negotiations that may finally bring about a just and lasting peace,” the pope said during his homily. After the meeting, President Zelensky welcomed the Vatican’s involvement, saying, “The Holy See is ready to send out invitations and organize a meeting that includes all of us, including European leaders.”
Later, the pope shared his position with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was also in Rome for the occasion.
President Trump, who initiated a new diplomatic effort between Russia and Ukraine upon returning to office, called the Vatican’s offer “a great idea,” as prior attempts at brokering a cease-fire have stumbled amid what he called the “rage” between the parties.
Last week, Moscow and Kyiv agreed — at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s request — to hold their first face-to-face talks in three years. Hopes for progress were quickly dashed, however, when Putin did not attend and instead sent a delegation lacking authority to negotiate, a move widely seen as undermining the process.
Two days later, Trump held separate calls with both Putin and Zelensky. He later announced that “Russia and Ukraine will immediately begin negotiations to reach a cease-fire and, more importantly, an END to the war.”
“The terms of such talks will be left to the two sides, as they know the details better than anyone else,” Trump added in a message that implied his continued influence over both leaders, particularly Putin.
He also suggested that Russia could benefit from large-scale trade with the United States once the war ends. “There’s a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive jobs and wealth. Its potential is unlimited,” he wrote on social media.
Despite this optimism, Moscow’s continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians led President Zelensky to speak out again on Tuesday, warning that “it is obvious Russia is trying to buy time in order to continue its war and occupation.”
As of now, no formal date has been set for Vatican-hosted talks, but officials in Rome and Kyiv say they remain open to the initiative.
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