Rome: Pope Leo XIV proposed to organize peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in the Vatican.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed the Pope’s offer after talking with him, saying that he is ready to help both sides at the table and work to end the war.
Meloni consulted Leo following a phone call on Monday between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, said his office.
Trump spoke with European leaders, especially Meloni after the call, and he was asked to confirm the Pope’s desire to organize talks, said his office.
Meloni spoke on Tuesday with the Pope and noted “the will of the Holy Father to welcome upcoming discussions between the parts of the Vatican,” he said.
She thanked the Pope for “his unshakable commitment to peace”.
Meloni also spoke on Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several other world leaders to maintain “close coordination” for peace talks, he added.
The recent efforts to resolve the war after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by Russia produced no breakthrough, and Putin rejected kyiv’s ceasefire proposals.
Leo proposed the Vatican mediation to the parties at war last week during a rally with representatives of the Eastern Christian Churches.
