Pope Leo XIV Offers Vatican as Venue for Russia–Ukraine Peace Talks

Pope Leo XIV has extended an invitation to Russia and Ukraine to hold direct peace negotiations at the Vatican, offering the Holy See as a neutral and secure venue to help end the war.

“The Pope is prepared to host both sides in a face-to-face meeting at the Vatican to at least get them talking,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, on May 16. “This could be a suitable location. The confidentiality of any talks held here can be guaranteed.”

The offer comes shortly after Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for their first direct talks since the early weeks of the war. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow only sent a lower-level delegation, and Zelensky did not attend.

The Istanbul meeting ended with an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side—the largest such exchange since the conflict began—but no ceasefire deal was reached. Cardinal Parolin called the failure to agree on a truce “tragic.”

“We hope this marks the beginning of a slow but positive path toward a peaceful resolution,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’re back at square one. We’ll have to see what comes next, but the situation is very challenging.”

Pope Leo XIV, elected on May 8 following the passing of Pope Francis, has assumed the papacy amid intensifying global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. During his first Sunday address on May 11, the new pontiff called on world leaders to “end the violence” and commit to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

He also signaled his desire to act as a bridge between warring nations, using the Vatican’s global moral standing to encourage dialogue and diplomacy.

“The Holy See is always ready to bring opposing sides to the same table—to sit down, look each other in the eye, and talk,” Pope Leo XIV said during a meeting with leaders of the Eastern Catholic Churches at the Vatican on May 14. “The people of the world deserve to hope again. They deserve dignity—the dignity of peace. I urge leaders: Meet. Speak. Negotiate.”

(Sources: The Hill, Politico, Interfax)

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