Pope Leo XIV Open to Hosting Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks at Vatican, Says Italy’s PM Meloni
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV has expressed readiness to host a new round of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican, reaffirming the Holy See’s potential role as a neutral mediator in the ongoing war.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Reuters.
In an official statement, Meloni said she held a phone conversation with the recently elected pontiff, during which he confirmed the Holy See’s readiness to provide a neutral venue for talks aimed at securing a ceasefire and long-term resolution to the war. She praised the pope’s “relentless commitment to peace” and described the offer as “a gesture of profound moral leadership.”
The announcement follows a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, after which Trump referenced Pope Leo’s openness to hosting negotiations. While the Vatican has not yet issued an official confirmation, Meloni's remarks suggest the idea is gaining traction among Western allies.
Meloni also confirmed she had held consultations with several European leaders as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to her office, there is a shared understanding among key stakeholders to maintain close coordination and explore diplomatic options for ending the war.
“The international community must seize every opportunity to open channels of dialogue,” Meloni’s statement said. “The Vatican’s moral authority and neutrality make it uniquely positioned to support such efforts.”
While no formal negotiations have yet been announced, the prospect of Vatican-hosted peace talks introduces a significant new dynamic – one that blends spiritual influence with high-stakes diplomacy.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the Vatican offered for the first time that it is offering to host direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on May 16, after high-level talks in Istanbul collapsed due to Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s refusal to attend.