Pope Leo XIV hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo on December 9th. Discussions focused primarily on the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Pope emphasized the necessity of continued dialogue and expressed hope for a just and lasting peace through diplomatic efforts. Both leaders addressed the situation of prisoners of war and the need to ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. This meeting marks the second time the two leaders have met during Pope Leo's papacy.
6 days ago
Pope Leo XIV met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on December 9, 2025, at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, marking their third in-person encounter.1 2 3 The discussions were described as cordial, centering on the ongoing war in Ukraine and prospects for peace through diplomatic channels.4 5 6 Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the Pope's prayers and support, particularly on humanitarian aid.4
This meeting followed Zelenskyy's recent engagements in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, aimed at bolstering European backing amid U.S. pressures.2 3 After the audience, Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to continue rallying support.4 5
The Pope reiterated the need for continued dialogue and expressed hope that current initiatives would yield a just and lasting peace.1 4 6 Zelenskyy briefed the Pope on negotiations with the U.S., including a revised 20-point peace plan from the Trump administration, which previously included 28 points and suggestions of territorial concessions like ceding Donbas to Russia.2 3 Ukraine firmly rejects any land surrender, citing constitutional, international, and moral grounds.2
European leaders voiced skepticism toward the U.S. proposal and emphasized security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.2 3 The Pope has previously highlighted Europe's role, suggesting Italy could mediate and that the Holy See might facilitate talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.3 Zelenskyy accused Russia of delaying negotiations while advancing militarily.2
A key focus was the plight of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported to Russia.1 3 4 Zelenskyy stressed the Vatican's potential mediation in repatriating these children, an issue on the Holy See's agenda since the war's early stages.4 6 The Pope has consistently called for their safe return to families.1
Ongoing military actions underscore the urgency, with Russia launching 110 drones overnight, damaging Ukrainian energy infrastructure and causing blackouts.2 Ukraine responded with drone strikes on Russian targets, including an LPG terminal in Krasnodar that burned for days.2 These exchanges highlight the humanitarian toll amid stalled diplomacy.2
This is the second meeting at Castel Gandolfo, following a July 9, 2025, audience where the Pope expressed sorrow for war victims and offered the Vatican as a negotiation site.1 3 Their first encounter was on May 18, 2025, during the Pope's installation Mass.3 4 Pope Leo, who has also spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, maintains neutrality while offering solidarity to Ukraine's "martyred" people and urging a ceasefire.2
Unlike some criticisms of Pope Francis's perceived openness to Russia, Leo XIV's approach emphasizes dialogue without concessions.3 Zelenskyy renewed an invitation for the Pope to visit Ukraine, viewing it as a strong symbol of support.4 5 The Holy See continues diplomatic efforts initiated after Russia's 2022 invasion.4 6
Recent U.S.-Ukraine talks in Miami and U.S.-Russia discussions in Moscow yielded little progress, with Trump expressing frustration over Ukraine's resistance.2 4 European allies push for a ceasefire with robust guarantees, countering Trump's calls to end the conflict quickly, even at the cost of territory.2 3 The Pope's meetings signal the Vatican's ongoing role in promoting humanitarian solutions amid escalating tensions.1 2
Pope Leo’s stance on diplomatic dialogue in the Ukraine conflict
Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, has inherited and continued the Holy See's longstanding commitment to peace through diplomatic channels in the Ukraine conflict. While his pontificate is still in its early stages as of late 2025, available statements reflect a consistent Vatican approach prioritizing dialogue, de-escalation, and negotiation over military escalation. This stance aligns with the Catholic Church's broader teaching on the sanctity of human life and the pursuit of fraternity amid war, as articulated in documents like Gaudium et Spes from the Second Vatican Council. In a recent press conference during his apostolic journey, Pope Leo XIV addressed queries on Ukraine, underscoring hope for truces and faster peace processes through international cooperation, particularly highlighting Türkiye's role. This response builds on decades of papal appeals for dialogue, emphasizing that peace in Ukraine requires renewed multilateral efforts to end suffering and restore stability.
The Holy See's position on the Ukraine conflict has evolved from a foundation of ecumenical solidarity and peaceful resolution, rooted in Ukraine's Christian heritage dating back to the Baptism of Kievan Rus' over a millennium ago. Pope John Paul II, in addresses to Ukrainian ambassadors, repeatedly stressed the importance of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Holy See to foster progress toward a just, democratic society. He highlighted Ukraine's role as a bridge between East and West, urging leaders to prioritize dialogue for resolving difficulties among Christians and ensuring religious freedom. For instance, in 2001, during his pastoral visit to Ukraine, John Paul II met with the Ukrainian Catholic episcopate, calling ecumenical dialogue an "indispensable priority" to overcome divisions among Christ's disciples and achieve full reconciliation. This vision extended to political spheres, where he encouraged Ukrainian leaders to build a tolerant society through negotiation, respecting minorities and drawing on Gospel values to avoid intransigence and hatred.
This emphasis on dialogue persisted under Pope Francis, who viewed the Ukraine war as a profound affront to human dignity, leaving the world "worse than it was before." In 2022, as tensions escalated, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, on behalf of the Holy See, urged the international community to unite in support of diplomacy, invoking the UN Charter's call to resolve disputes through peaceful means like negotiation and mediation. Pope Francis echoed this in his general audiences, expressing anguish over the "diabolical senselessness of violence" and appealing for prayer, fasting, and restraint from actions that destabilize nations or undermine international law. He specifically called for a Day of Fasting for Peace on Ash Wednesday 2022, framing it as a collective protest against war and a push for dialogue.
European bishops' conferences, through COMECE, reinforced this by appealing to Russian authorities to refrain from hostilities and urging the EU to promote de-escalation via diplomatic channels, avoiding steps that fuel conflict. In 2022, Cardinal Hollerich and others expressed solidarity with Ukraine, calling for "creative ways of negotiation and value-based engagement" rooted in international law, while praying for wisdom among leaders to choose reconciliation over confrontation. Even in protracted conflicts involving Ukraine and neighboring regions, the Holy See advocated for cease-fires, humanitarian corridors, and good-faith negotiations to protect civilians and religious sites. By 2024 and early 2025, Pope Francis reiterated the need for greater implementation of humanitarian law, proportionate force in self-defense, and diplomatic efforts to prevent war crimes, citing Ukraine as a stark example of indiscriminate civilian suffering. He expressed hope for "encouraging signs" toward a just peace, including cease-fires and the release of hostages in related conflicts, while decrying the proliferation of weapons that fuels violence.
As the 267th Pope, Leo XIV has signaled continuity with this tradition in his initial public engagements. During a press conference on November 30, 2025, aboard the papal flight from Istanbul to Beirut, he fielded questions on Ukraine amid his apostolic journey to Türkiye and Lebanon. A journalist inquired about discussions with President Erdoğan on Ukraine, noting the Vatican's emphasis on Türkiye's role—such as in the grain corridor—and asking if Leo XIV saw hope for a truce and accelerated peace process. Though the full response is not detailed in available records, the context of the query and the Pope's engagement affirm the Holy See's ongoing focus on diplomatic solutions. This aligns with prior Vatican appreciation for Türkiye's mediation efforts and the broader call for international unity to end the conflict's toll on civilians.
Leo's stance reflects the Church's teaching that war is always a defeat for humanity, as reiterated in COMECE statements expressing "deep sadness" at the aggression and urging aggressors to suspend hostilities while opening to "serious proposals" for just peace through negotiation. In a Europe facing energy crises and inflation from the war, Leo XIV's approach, like his predecessors', ties diplomatic dialogue to the European project's vision of solidarity, encouraging unity among leaders to mitigate suffering and rebuild bridges. This is not merely pragmatic but theological: as John Paul II noted, peace demands koinonia—fellowship—before God, resolving conflicts at the level of love beyond mere justice.
The Ukraine conflict remains a lacerated wound, with modern warfare blurring lines between combatants and civilians, as seen in violations of international law. Pope Leo XIV's early pontificate occurs amid calls for renewed appeals, much like Francis's 2025 wish for the international community to end the bloodshed and heal wounds through dialogue. Controversies, such as differing interpretations of self-defense and territorial integrity, require nuanced caution; the Church insists on proportionate responses and adherence to conventions like those in Gaudium et Spes to curb war's savagery. Where sources diverge—earlier emphases on ecumenism versus recent humanitarian foci—more contemporary voices, including Leo's, take precedence, prioritizing immediate de-escalation.
However, the provided sources offer limited direct quotes from Pope Leo XIV on this topic, focusing more on his engagement with the issue rather than extended exposition. Earlier papal documents provide robust context, demonstrating the Holy See's unwavering support for dialogue as the sole path to fraternity. This continuity suggests Leo XIV views diplomatic efforts not as optional but as a moral imperative, echoing the plea to leaders: examine consciences before the God of peace, who desires brothers, not enemies.
In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV's stance on diplomatic dialogue in the Ukraine conflict embodies the Catholic tradition of hope amid despair, urging all parties to prioritize negotiation for a lasting peace that honors human dignity. By fostering international cooperation and prayerful solidarity, the Holy See under Leo XIV seeks to transform partisan interests into shared fraternity, ensuring that Ukraine's Christian heritage inspires reconciliation rather than division.