Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone call on June 4, 2025, amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During the call, Pope Leo urged Putin to make a gesture towards peace and emphasized the importance of dialogue. Discussions included the humanitarian situation, aid facilitation, and prisoner exchanges, as well as the role of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. The Pope also highlighted the role of shared Christian values in promoting peace and religious freedom, while Putin expressed interest in achieving peace through political and diplomatic means.
16 days ago
The phone call between Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 4, 2025, marked their first direct communication 1 2 3 14. This conversation is significant given the escalating conflict in Ukraine and the potential for wider international involvement 1 3. The call represents the highest-level contact between Russia and the Holy See since the start of Russia's large-scale offensive in Ukraine in February 2022 2.
During the call, Pope Leo XIV urged President Putin to take concrete steps towards de-escalation, appealing for a "gesture that would favor peace" 1 2 5 6 7 11. The Pope emphasized the importance of dialogue to establish positive contacts between the involved parties 1 2 3 5 6 7 11. Discussions also centered on the dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine, with both leaders acknowledging the need to facilitate aid to affected areas 1 2 3 5 6 7 11 13. The ongoing efforts of Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi to facilitate prisoner exchanges were also highlighted 1 2 3 5 6 7 11 13. Pope Leo XIV also referenced Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, thanking him for his well-wishes and emphasizing the role of shared Christian values in promoting peace, defending life, and seeking religious freedom 1 2 3 5 6 7 10 11 12 13.
While Pope Leo XIV appealed for de-escalation, President Putin conveyed his perspective that the "Kyiv regime" is responsible for escalating the conflict through attacks on civilian infrastructure 2 6 7 10 11 12. Putin also expressed his hope that the Holy See would promote religious freedom in Ukraine, alluding to the ban on the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine 2 10 12.
On the same day as the Pope's call, US President Donald Trump also spoke with Vladimir Putin 1 2 3 14. Trump acknowledged the lack of immediate prospects for peace and Moscow's preparation to respond to Ukrainian strikes on Russian airbases 2 3 14. The Vatican has offered itself as a neutral venue for potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, though this offer was previously deemed "inappropriate" by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov 1 14.
The Church's role in mediating international conflicts is crucial.
The Catholic Church plays a significant role in mediating international conflicts through promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation . The Church's efforts are rooted in the Gospel and its social doctrine, which emphasizes the dignity of the human person and the common good .
Peace is not merely the absence of war, nor can it be reduced to maintaining a balance of power or imposed by dictatorship . Instead, peace is an "enterprise of justice" that arises from the order established in human society by God and is achieved when people strive for greater justice . True peace requires safeguarding the goods of persons, ensuring free communication, respecting the dignity of individuals and peoples, and actively practicing fraternity .
The Church sees itself as a "sacrament" or sign and instrument of peace in the world . It promotes the unity of Christians and fruitful cooperation with believers of other religions, emphasizing that religious differences should not be a cause of conflict but a source of unity among peoples .
In summary, the Church's role in mediating international conflicts is multifaceted, involving the promotion of justice, education for peace, reconciliation, social dialogue, support for international law, and prayer. By living out its mission, the Church seeks to contribute to a world where peace is not just an absence of war but a positive and dynamic reality built on justice, love, and fraternity.