Pope Leo XIV invites Ukraine and Russia for peace talks during inaugural Mass

In a notable appearance, President Zelensky of Ukraine joined Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass, which coincided with the pope's offer to facilitate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican. The ongoing conflict sees efforts intensifying for negotiations following a series of recent dialogues.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was present at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass on Sunday, marking a significant moment as the newly elected pope expressed his desire to aid in the resolution of the ongoing war with Russia. During the Mass, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed his commitment to “[make] every effort so that peace may prevail” and extended an invitation to both Ukraine and Russia to hold discussions at the Vatican.

Highlighting the Vatican's role in diplomatic efforts, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope's secretary of state, mentioned that the Vatican is “always ready to help bring enemies together” in a neutral setting for face-to-face conversations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also acknowledged the Vatican’s potential to serve as a venue for peace negotiations, although neither nation has yet responded to the invitation.

The Mass attracted high-profile attendees, including Vice President JD Vance, who exchanged greetings with Zelensky as he arrived. This marks Zelensky's second visit to the Holy See in a short span; he had previously attended Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26, where he had an important meeting with President Trump.

While it remains uncertain if the Mass would lead to any informal discussions on Ukraine, Zelensky did mention on social media that he met separately with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter to strategize ways to amplify pressure on Russia to conclude the conflict.

Peace-making efforts concerning Ukraine have accelerated recently, highlighted by direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Turkey, culminating in a prisoner exchange agreement. Since taking office, Pope Leo XIV has shown a keen interest in resolving the war, using his inaugural addresses to advocate for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and the release of prisoners of war. He particularly voiced concern over the well-being of Ukrainian children taken to Russia amid the hostilities.

With tensions still prevalent, the international community watches closely as new avenues for dialogue open, guided by the Vatican’s diplomatic overtures.