Pope Leo XIV Reaffirms Vatican's Role in Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations

Pope Leo XIV welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, reiterating the Vatican's commitment to facilitating negotiations with Russia. The Holy See released a brief statement confirming the Pope's willingness to host representatives from both Russia and Ukraine for discussions aimed at achieving a fair and lasting peace. During their cordial meeting, the two leaders addressed the ongoing conflict and emphasized the urgent need for dialogue to end hostilities. Pope Leo XIV expressed his sorrow for the victims of the war and reaffirmed his solidarity with the Ukrainian people, urging all efforts directed toward the release of prisoners and the search for shared solutions. This marks the second official meeting between Pope Leo XIV and President Zelensky, following their earlier audience in May, which took place after a mass at the onset of the pontiff's term. The recent discussion occurred at the Barberini Villa in Castel Gandolfo, where Pope Leo XIV is spending his summer—a tradition that had been put on hold during the nearly 13 years of Pope Francis's tenure. Zelensky's visit to Rome comes as he co-chairs the IV International Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine, scheduled to be held on Thursday and Friday, alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. On the same day, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine, with a report of 741 aircraft, including drones and missiles—the largest assault since the conflict began in February 2022. This onslaught included over 720 drones of different types and 13 missiles, highlighting the increasing hostilities. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Russia's Ombudsman Tatiana Moskalkova reached out to Pope Leo XIV, seeking assistance in repatriating Russian citizens currently in Ukraine. The Pope had previously held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 4, wherein Putin accused Kyiv of escalating the situation. As the situation evolves, the Vatican continues to position itself as a neutral ground for potential peace talks, reflecting the Holy See's long-standing commitment to diplomacy and humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2