Pope Leo XIV has expressed readiness to host the next round of peace talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The offer comes amid growing international calls for a neutral platform to facilitate dialogue between conflicting parties.
Following the pope’s election, several of Ukraine’s allies, including the United States, proposed the Vatican as a potential site for renewed diplomatic efforts. The Holy See’s longstanding neutrality and moral authority have positioned it as a credible venue for brokering peace in global conflicts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv is actively exploring options for a multilateral meeting involving delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the U.S., and the EU. Potential host countries being considered include Turkey, Switzerland, and now the Vatican, as efforts intensify to bring the prolonged conflict to a diplomatic resolution.
