Pope Leo XIV to offer the Vatican for Russia-Ukraine discussions

Keir Starmersir

I think we need to be really clear in putting the pressure on for a ceasefire

Keir Starmer said

Next time it will be five regions.

In response to Ukraine’s refusal to meet the latter demand, a Russian official apparently threatened

Pietro Parolincardinal

Now we will see what to do, but the situation is very difficult, dramatic,

Parolin added

This is all tragic because we hoped that it would be a, maybe slow, process, but with a peaceful solution to the conflict, and instead we are back at the beginning,

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s top diplomat, told reporters on the fringes of a Vatican event in Rome on Friday

Pietro Parolincardinal

I don’t know, the problem is that there are so many delegations; there is very little time and so they will see each other if there is time. Protocol is working on it.”

Asked about a potential meeting between Leo and Vance, Parolin said

I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.”

On Thursday, in his first post as pope on X, Leo called for peace saying

The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together face to face … Let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate, ... Those who make history are the peacemakers,

adding: ... the pontiff said

The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face to face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace,

he said on Wednesday

I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be freed, and may the children return to their families,

he said Sunday