Pope Leo XIV View on Ukraine War: A Historic Meeting with President Zelensky for Peace

A Historic Encounter at the Vatican

On May 18, 2025, in the wake of a large-scale Russian drone attack, Pope Leo XIV received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace. This highly symbolic meeting marks a new chapter in Vatican diplomacy and offers fresh hope for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The meeting comes just one day after the Pope’s inaugural Mass, where he described Ukraine as a “martyred nation,” a phrase echoing his predecessor, Pope Francis. In his homily on St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV’s view on Ukraine war was made unmistakably clear:

“Ukraine is still waiting for genuine negotiations that can lead to a just and lasting peace.”

This statement followed the collapse of new peace talks in Geneva and a brutal night of drone strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The Pope’s words signal a renewed Vatican commitment to global peace and human dignity, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Pope Leo XIV's View on the Ukraine War: Moral Clarity in Times of Chaos

Pope Leo XIV’s position on the Ukraine war emphasizes negotiation, international law, and protection of civilians. During the private audience, topics reportedly included:

• The prospects for renewed peace negotiations

• The fate of Ukrainian children deported to Russia

• The moral and humanitarian implications of the war

According to the official Vatican communiqué, the Pope reaffirmed the Holy See’s readiness to "facilitate credible dialogue" between the warring parties, always favoring justice, international law, and human dignity.

For many Catholics in the United States following the Ukraine conflict closely, Pope Leo XIV's view on Ukraine war presents a strong moral compass in an increasingly polarized world.

Zelensky Responds: “A Strong Message from the Holy Father”

After the meeting, President Zelensky praised the encounter as “a strong message from the Holy Father,” and emphasized that Ukraine is not seeking peace at any cost, but peace based on sovereignty and freedom.

Zelensky previously met Pope Francis in 2023 and was cautious about Vatican mediation efforts. However, the election of Pope Leo XIV, viewed as pragmatic and attentive to geopolitical realities, rekindles hope for a credible international mediation.

A Broader Vision of Peace: Pope Speaks on Gaza

Beyond Ukraine, the Pope also condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling it a “scandal for global conscience.” He lamented the ongoing suffering:

“Children, families, the elderly are dying of hunger while the world looks away.”

This comment was made in reference to the worsening famine risk in Gaza following renewed Israeli bombardments and blockade of humanitarian aid.

Pope Leo XIV’s peace diplomacy thus extends beyond Ukraine, addressing global conflicts through a lens of Catholic social teaching and human dignity.

A Return to Moral Diplomacy

This meeting marks the first major foreign policy gesture of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. With no military power, the Vatican still exercises moral influence on the global stage. In times of conflict and division, the Catholic Church’s voice remains vital.

For American Catholics, especially those engaged in global humanitarian advocacy, Pope Leo XIV’s view on the Ukraine war aligns spiritual guidance with international concern.

📌 Key Takeaways

• Pope Leo XIV met President Zelensky on May 18, 2025, for a private audience at the Vatican.

• The Pope called for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.

• The meeting followed a major Russian attack and failed peace talks in Geneva.

• The Vatican reaffirmed its willingness to mediate in the conflict.

• The Pope also condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Conclusion: A New Hope for Catholic Peacemaking

With this first encounter, Pope Leo XIV positions himself as a potential peacemaker in the Ukraine war, reaffirming the Vatican’s commitment to moral diplomacy. As violence continues in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, American Catholics can look to Pope Leo XIV’s view on Ukraine war as a reminder of the Church’s enduring call for peace rooted in justice, dignity, and truth.