Trump claims Vatican keen to host peace talks to end Ukraine war
Pope Leo XIV delivered the following homily at the Mass for the Initiation of the Petrine Ministry held in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, 18 May 2025, following his being elected on 8 May as the successor of St. Peter and the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Catholic Herald• May 20, 2025
The US president has claimed that Pope Leo XIV is keen to host peace talks at the Vatican to attempt to end the war in Ukraine.
The comments from Donald Trump came in a typically blustery – and at times confusing – message on his Truth Social social media platform
“Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” the US president says. “I believe it went very well. Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.”
He goes on to say: “I have so informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, President Emmanuel Macron, of France, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of Germany, and President Alexander Stubb, of Finland, during a call with me, immediately after the call with President Putin.”
He then adds: “The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!”
It is not clear which “statement” from the Vatican the US president is referring to. Media in Rome are attempting to verify the claim.
Last Friday, 16 May, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, told reporters that “the Pope plans to make the Vatican, the Holy See, available for a direct meeting between the two sides”, reports the Catholic News Agency (CNA).
In addition, Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after presiding over the formal inauguration Mass of his pontificate at the weekend.
Photo: Pope Leo XIV receives a gift from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting at the Vatican, 18 May 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media.)
In remarks before reciting the Regina Caeli Marian prayer at the end of his Inauguration Mass, the Pope expressed solidarity with those “who are suffering because of war”.
He specifically mentioned the conflict in Gaza, saying that children, families and the elderly who have survived “are reduced to starvation”, while in Myanmar a fresh outbreak of violence has increased the number of casualties.
Leo also referred to “war-torn Ukraine”, saying it “awaits negotiations for a just and lasting peace”.
After Mass, Pope Leo XIV briefly shook hands with Zelenskyy and his wife while greeting the various delegations and heads of state present. He then held a private meeting with Zelenskyy in his office at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.
The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes. The Vatican has not provided details about the conversation, stating only that it was private.
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Photo: Pope Leo XIV wearing his fisherman’s ring at the end of a Mass for the formal inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, 18 May 2025. (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images.)