Pope Leo XIV and Putin discuss the war in Ukraine over the phone

Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin had their first phone conversation on Wednesday, according to officials from the Vatican and Russia. They agreed to continue the efforts initiated by Pope Francis to strengthen relations between the two countries.

During the call, Putin congratulated the Pope on his election and praised Francis for his significant role in enhancing ties between the Holy See and Russia. Both leaders expressed their commitment to fostering these connections based on shared spiritual and moral values, with the aim of promoting a more just global order.

Additionally, they discussed collaborating to safeguard Christian holy sites, particularly in the Middle East. A crucial point of the conversation was Putin’s pledge to work towards peace in Ukraine, addressing the root causes of the conflict through political and diplomatic means.

The Vatican confirmed the dialogue between the leaders in a statement on Telegram, where the Pope emphasized the importance of dialogue and positive engagement to resolve the conflict. Leo XIV has offered to host negotiations between Russia and Ukraine at the Vatican, demonstrating the Holy See’s commitment to facilitating peace talks.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, appointed as the Vatican’s peace envoy in the Ukrainian conflict by Pope Francis, has been engaging with leaders from various countries to address humanitarian issues arising from the war. The Vatican highlighted the critical role of shared Christian values in pursuing peace, defending life, and advocating for genuine religious freedom.

Both leaders discussed specific agreements related to prisoner exchanges, the repatriation of deceased soldiers, and efforts to reunite children with their families. They emphasized the importance of supporting humanitarian aid initiatives and recognized the valuable contributions of Cardinal Zuppi in these endeavors.

The Vatican and Kremlin statements underscored the significance of promoting religious freedom, echoing concerns raised by human rights organizations regarding the ban on religious organizations linked to the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Leo XVI emphasized the need for the Holy See to advocate more actively for freedom of religion in the country.

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