Pope Leo has stressed the importance of Europe’s involvement in US efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, while suggesting that Italy specifically could play the role of mediator.
Russia and the US failed to make progress towards a peace deal for Ukraine during talks on Tuesday, with Vladimir Putin accusing Europe of “preventing the US administration from achieving peace on Ukraine”.
Speaking to reporters onboard the papal flight as he returned on Tuesday from a trip to Turkey and Lebanon, Leo said: “It is clear that, on the one hand, the president of the United States is thinking he can promote a peace plan that he would like to carry out and that, at least at first, is without Europe.
“But Europe’s presence is important, and that first proposal was also modified because of what Europe was saying.”
He added: “Specifically, I think Italy’s role could be very important. Culturally and historically, Italy has the capacity to act as an intermediary in the midst of a conflict that exists between different parties: Ukraine, Russia, the United States.”
The pontiff said he could “suggest that the Holy See might encourage this kind of mediation, and that one should seek – and that we should seek together – a solution that could truly offer peace, a just peace, in this case in Ukraine”.
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Leo’s remarks came as the Russian president issued threats that his country was ready for war with Europe. “Russia does not intend to fight Europe, but if Europe starts, we are ready right now,” Putin said.
Soon after Leo was elected pope in May, he said the Vatican could act as a mediator in resolving global conflicts. He also confirmed to Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, his willingness for the Holy See to host talks in the Vatican to try to end the war in Ukraine.
Leo said ending the war there “is obviously an important issue for peace in the world”.
“But the Holy See does not have a direct involvement, because we are not members of Nato nor of any of the talks so far, and even though many times we have called for a ceasefire, for dialogue and not war.
“And it is now a war with many aspects: with the increase in arms, all the armaments production going on, cyber-attacks, energy. Now that winter is coming there is a serious problem there.”
