Pope Leo makes direct peace plea to Putin in first call on Ukraine war

Pope Leo XIV Makes Direct Plea for Peace with Ukraine in Call with Putin

Pope Leo XIV has made a direct plea for peace with Ukraine to Russian President Vladimir Putin in their first call since the American pontiff took up the highest seat in the Catholic Church last month. The Vatican confirmed on Wednesday that the pope emphasized the “importance of dialogue” in their conversation, though it remains unclear if he encouraged Putin to engage in direct discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who the Kremlin has so far refused to speak with.

During the call, the two leaders also discussed humanitarian issues, prisoner exchanges, and aid. However, Putin also accused Kyiv of “escalating” the conflict, specifically referencing a recent attack on the Kerch Bridge, which links Crimea – a territory illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 – to Russia. The attack on the bridge came after a drone operation targeted Russia’s military complex and destroyed numerous warplanes capable of deploying cruise missiles.

Putin reportedly expressed doubt about the value of peace talks following the attack, raising concerns about the Kremlin’s commitment to ceasefire attempts. Despite ongoing efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution, Russia continues to pound Ukrainian cities with drone and missile strikes.

In addition to discussing the conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin called on the Vatican to “take a more active role” in advocating for religious freedoms in the country, particularly for members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Ukrainian government has initiated criminal proceedings against clergy members suspected of sympathizing with Moscow, and has accused Russia of religious oppression in occupied territories where churches have been destroyed and clergy members killed.

The call between Pope Leo XIV and President Putin marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as international leaders work towards a peaceful resolution. The Vatican’s involvement in advocating for religious freedoms and promoting dialogue could potentially play a crucial role in de-escalating tensions and fostering peace in the region.