Pope Leo XIV urges European leaders to be willing to make concessions to help end Russia–Ukraine war — but doesn’t say what should be conceded
Pope Leo XIV has urged European leaders seeking to end Russia’s war against Ukraine to be ready to make concessions for the sake of peace. He made the remarks yesterday during a visit to France.
“We need to show courage in negotiation and to be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace,” the pope said, drawing a parallel to a 1917 call by his predecessor Benedict XV during World War I.
The pope did not spell out what he meant by “some positions.”
Leo XIV cautioned European leaders against building up their defense capabilities, saying, “We must also guard against the illusion that rearmament is the answer.” He urged them to ask themselves whether they wanted peace or were simply trying to prepare better for future conflicts.
Later, aboard the papal plane on his way back to Rome from France, Leo XIV again called on Russia and Ukraine to sit down for talks. Without naming anyone, he criticized national leaders who “begin talking about nuclear weapons and wars that are becoming increasingly destructive.” He said he believes the Catholic Church must always call for peace.
Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for a swift end to Russia’s war against Ukraine. As early as his first Sunday sermon after his election in May 2025, he called for the release of prisoners of war and for children taken from Ukraine to Russia to be returned to their families.
Like his predecessor Francis, Leo XIV has repeatedly offered the Vatican as a venue for direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Russia rejected the idea. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov cited Russia and Ukraine’s status as “predominantly Orthodox countries” to explain why.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were suspended in early March after the United States, which had been mediating, went to war with Iran. In recent months, both sides have spoken more frequently about the need to resume talks. Moscow, however, has stressed that it will not stop fighting while negotiations are underway.
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