Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky joins Pope Leo XIV at Mass as hopes rise for a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Pope Leo XIV's Peace Initiative: Ukraine and Russia Eye Vatican Talks
Pope Leo XIV's Peace Initiative: Ukraine and Russia Eye Vatican Talks
In a pivotal moment for peace negotiations, Pope Leo XIV extends an olive branch to Ukraine and Russia, inviting them to the Vatican for dialogue.
May 18, 2025, 6:33 a.m. ET
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, accompanied by his wife, Olena Zelenska, made a notable appearance at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass held in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. This significant event came in the wake of the Pope’s expressed intentions to mediate in the ongoing conflict with Russia, underscoring his personal commitment to achieving peace.
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected recently, conveyed his determination to facilitate an end to the war, stating on Friday, “I will make every effort so that this peace may prevail,” and extended an offer for the Vatican to serve as a venue for potential peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope's secretary of state, emphasized the Vatican's readiness, describing it as an “appropriate place” for adversaries to meet, and highlighted the Holy See’s role in fostering communication between the two nations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio corroborated the Vatican's potential as a negotiation backdrop, though Russia and Ukraine have yet to confirm their willingness to engage in discussions there. Notably, Rubio was present at the inaugural Mass alongside Vice President JD Vance, where Mr. Zelensky shared a cordial handshake with the vice president. This visit marks Zelensky's second within a span of weeks, having also attended Pope Francis's funeral on April 26, where he met privately with former President Trump, highlighting a rekindling of diplomatic channels.
Although there is no official word of direct discussions on Ukraine during the Mass, Zelensky earlier hinted at his diplomatic undertakings in Rome, referencing meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter to strategize on increasing pressure on Russia.
The pursuit of peace in Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks, with both nations holding their first direct talks in Turkey and agreeing on a prisoner exchange. The late Pope Francis was a vocal advocate for negotiations, often calling for a resolution to the conflict. Since his election, Pope Leo XIV has shown a keen interest in peace efforts, using his inaugural address to call for a “just and lasting peace” and advocating for the return of children taken away from their families during the war. While specifics regarding which children were referenced remain unclear, many Ukrainian children have reportedly been relocated to Russia, prompting urgent family reunifications.
The torch of hope for peace flickers as global eyes turn towards the Vatican, anticipating a possible breakthrough in the fraught relationship between Ukraine and Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, accompanied by his wife, Olena Zelenska, made a notable appearance at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass held in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. This significant event came in the wake of the Pope’s expressed intentions to mediate in the ongoing conflict with Russia, underscoring his personal commitment to achieving peace.
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected recently, conveyed his determination to facilitate an end to the war, stating on Friday, “I will make every effort so that this peace may prevail,” and extended an offer for the Vatican to serve as a venue for potential peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope's secretary of state, emphasized the Vatican's readiness, describing it as an “appropriate place” for adversaries to meet, and highlighted the Holy See’s role in fostering communication between the two nations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio corroborated the Vatican's potential as a negotiation backdrop, though Russia and Ukraine have yet to confirm their willingness to engage in discussions there. Notably, Rubio was present at the inaugural Mass alongside Vice President JD Vance, where Mr. Zelensky shared a cordial handshake with the vice president. This visit marks Zelensky's second within a span of weeks, having also attended Pope Francis's funeral on April 26, where he met privately with former President Trump, highlighting a rekindling of diplomatic channels.
Although there is no official word of direct discussions on Ukraine during the Mass, Zelensky earlier hinted at his diplomatic undertakings in Rome, referencing meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter to strategize on increasing pressure on Russia.
The pursuit of peace in Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks, with both nations holding their first direct talks in Turkey and agreeing on a prisoner exchange. The late Pope Francis was a vocal advocate for negotiations, often calling for a resolution to the conflict. Since his election, Pope Leo XIV has shown a keen interest in peace efforts, using his inaugural address to call for a “just and lasting peace” and advocating for the return of children taken away from their families during the war. While specifics regarding which children were referenced remain unclear, many Ukrainian children have reportedly been relocated to Russia, prompting urgent family reunifications.
The torch of hope for peace flickers as global eyes turn towards the Vatican, anticipating a possible breakthrough in the fraught relationship between Ukraine and Russia.
