US President Donald Trump announced a historic diplomatic effort in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pope Leo XIV on Monday, marking a significant shift in approach after his previous attempts to mediate a peace deal.
The Vatican had previously offered to host negotiations under Pope Francis, but no talks took place for three years. This time around, the focus is on facilitating talks between Russia and Ukraine, with Trump stating that the two countries would “immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed interest in hosting the talks, which could mark a significant step in international diplomacy. The Pope had previously criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “imperialist” before becoming pope.
The meeting came after a 15-minute conversation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, during which Zelensky urged Trump to take a tougher line with Putin and prioritize a ceasefire.
While the talks are unlikely to be a breakthrough, they represent a significant step forward in efforts to end the conflict. With Pope Leo XIV’s involvement, the Vatican is now firmly at the center of international diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/19/pope-leo-host-russia-ukraine-peace-talks-trump