Pope Leo XIV meets Zelenskyy and proposes Vatican‑mediated peace talks.
Pope Leo XIV met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today in Castel Gandolfo, offering Vatican grounds as a venue for potential Ukraine‑Russia peace talks. Emphasizing the Vatican’s long‑standing tradition of neutrality, the Pontiff stated that moral authority should help achieve a ceasefire and lasting resolution.
The meeting comes shortly after the European Court of Human Rights found Russia responsible for multiple human rights violations since 2014, including the downing of Flight MH17. This judicial decision increases pressure on international mediators to find a path to peace.
Additionally, Italy unveiled a €300 million package to support SMEs rebuilding in Ukraine, timed with upcoming reconstruction efforts in Rome. Other global actors—such as the EU, US, and China—have been pressing for peaceful engagement amid escalating diplomatic tensions.
Despite earlier Russian refusals of Vatican mediation, Pope Leo XIV remains hopeful the offer may now gain traction in light of intensified humanitarian and judicial concerns. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude, though he framed the initiative as one of several diplomatic efforts Ukraine is pursuing.
I’m Adedayo Obadina
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