Pope Leo Offers Vatican as Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Venue Amid Moscow Rejection

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican's Castel Gandolfo residence to discuss the urgent need for a just and lasting peace amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. Pope Leo formally offered to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican, reaffirming the Holy See's commitment to facilitating dialogue as the preferred means to end hostilities. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the Vatican's support, especially in helping return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, and invited the Pope to visit Ukraine. However, Russia has consistently rejected peace talks at the Vatican, citing concerns about its NATO-member location and religious differences, thereby stalling diplomatic efforts despite escalating military attacks. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine remains open to negotiations at the Vatican, calling on global solidarity to increase diplomatic pressure on Russia. The Vatican continues its diplomatic legacy by maintaining a measured approach that encourages peace without directly condemning Russia, while U.S. President Donald Trump recently pledged to increase arms deliveries to Kyiv and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's stance on Ukraine.