Pope Leo XIV held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a significant interaction amid ongoing international tensions. The Pope appealed for gestures favoring peace in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of dialogue. Discussions included the humanitarian situation, aid delivery, and prisoner exchanges. The leaders also talked about Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi’s efforts. Putin expressed gratitude for the Pope's readiness to assist in resolving the conflict.
13 days ago
Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone call on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 1 2 5 6 7 8 9. The Pope appealed to Putin to make a gesture that would favor peace and emphasized the importance of dialogue between parties to resolve the conflict in Ukraine 1 2 5 6 7 8. Discussions also covered the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, the facilitation of aid, and ongoing efforts to exchange prisoners of war led by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi 1 2 5 6 7 8. Pope Leo XIV also referenced Patriarch Kirill, expressing gratitude for his congratulations and highlighting shared Christian values as a means to seek peace and defend religious freedom 1 2 5 6 7 8.
The Vatican emphasized the Pope's appeal for peace and dialogue, focusing on the humanitarian aspects of the conflict 1 2 5 6 7 8. Conversely, the Kremlin stated that Putin believes the "Kyiv regime" is escalating the conflict and carrying out sabotage 1 2 5 6 7 9. Putin also expressed hope that the Holy See would increase efforts to promote religious freedom in Ukraine, referencing the ban on the Russian Orthodox Church 5 7. The Kremlin described the conversation as "constructive" and expressed gratitude for the Pope's willingness to help resolve the crisis 1 2 6 9.
This call occurred just over three weeks after Pope Leo XIV's initial conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 12 1 2 6. Previously, Putin had refused to take calls from Pope Francis after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 9. Pope Leo XIV, like his predecessor, offered the Vatican as a neutral site for negotiations, but this offer was previously declined by Russia 5 7 9.
U.S. President Donald Trump also spoke with Putin on the same day 9. Putin reportedly told Trump he would respond to Ukraine's drone attack on Russian airfields 5 7 9. Trump characterized his conversation with Putin as "good" but unlikely to lead to immediate peace 9.
What is the Catholic Church's teaching on just war?
The Catholic Church acknowledges the legitimacy of just war teaching when defending the innocent in the face of grave evil, but emphasizes the importance of working to avoid war and promote peace . It recognizes the right of governments to lawful self-defense while encouraging peace efforts and competent international bodies to prevent warfare .
The Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church, such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, developed principles for evaluating when the use of force is morally justifiable . These principles aim to limit the outbreak of war and govern how war may be waged .
Here's a breakdown of the key elements of the Church's teaching on just war:
According to St. Thomas Aquinas, for a war to be just, three conditions must be met :
In addition to the criteria outlined by Aquinas, modern interpretations of just war theory include the following considerations:
Pope Francis has expressed that it is difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a "just war" . He stresses that war should never be considered a solution, as its risks will likely always outweigh its supposed benefits . The development of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, along with new technologies, has given war an uncontrollable destructive power over innocent civilians . The Church consistently pleads for an end to war, urging respect for each person's dignity and freedom .
The Church affirms the permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflict . The mere fact that war has broken out does not mean that everything becomes licit between warring parties .
The Church promotes true peace, desiring to win over peoples and educate them to virtue and right social living, not by means of arms but with the truth . Catholics must work to prevent conflicts, resolve them peacefully, and promote reconstruction and reconciliation after conflicts .
In summary, the Catholic Church's teaching on just war provides a framework for evaluating the moral permissibility of using military force, with a strong emphasis on minimizing harm, protecting the innocent, and pursuing peaceful solutions whenever possible. While acknowledging the possibility of legitimate self-defense, the Church today approaches the concept of "just war" with great caution, recognizing the immense destructive potential of modern warfare and the priority of seeking peace.