Pope Leo XIV reaffirms Vatican's readiness to mediate Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV at the pontiff’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, on July 9 where the two leaders discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine.

During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Vatican’s willingness to serve as a platform for resolving the conflict. He expressed readiness to host representatives from both Russia and Ukraine for negotiations aimed at achieving peace, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

#PapaLeoneXIV e Volodomyr Zelensky @ZelenskyyUa salutano dal balcone di Villa Barberini pic.twitter.com/L8JjgtZdH4

— Vatican News (@vaticannews_it) July 9, 2025

Ahead of the audience, President Zelenskyy thanked the Pope for agreeing to receive him. He stated that the central topic of their discussion would be the war initiated by Russia, and emphasised Ukraine’s desire for the conflict to end.

Zelenskyy also voiced hope that the Vatican, under the leadership of His Holiness, could provide a venue for high-level talks to help bring the war to a close.

By Sabina Mammadli