Pope Leo XIV has said that Europe must play a role in any peace agreement for Ukraine and criticized the Trump administration for trying to “break apart” the long-standing alliance between the United States and Europe.
The Pope spoke to reporters on Tuesday after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is touring Europe to gather support for Ukraine.
The American-born Pope said he and Zelenskyy discussed the need for a ceasefire and the Vatican’s efforts to help return Ukrainian children taken by Russian authorities.
When asked about the US peace proposal and reports that European powers were being left out of the process, Pope Leo XIV insisted that Europe’s involvement is essential to any deal.
“Seeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the talks is unrealistic, given the war is in Europe,” he said while leaving his vacation home in Castel Gandolfo.
“Guarantees are also being sought for security today and in the future. Europe must be part of this, and unfortunately not everyone understands this, but I think there is a great opportunity for European leaders to unite and seek a solution together,” the Pope stated.
Zelenskyy has said there are three documents being discussed in the peace agreement with US and European partners. These include a framework document with 20 points, a second document with security guarantees, and a third document about Ukraine’s recovery.
Pope Leo was asked about the US peace plan for Ukraine but appeared to respond to broader questions about the Trump administration’s views on the US-Europe alliance.
Last week, the Trump administration released its US national security strategy, which questions the US-European alliance and emphasizes a desire to improve relations with Russia.
The Pope said what he had read would “make a huge change in what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States.”
He added that some comments by US President Donald Trump suggest an effort “trying to break apart what I think needs to be an alliance today and in the future.”
While some people in the United States may support that approach, “I think many others would see things in a different way,” Pope Leo said.
The Vatican has tried to remain neutral in Russia’s war while offering solidarity and concrete assistance to what it calls the “martyred” people of Ukraine.
Pope Leo has now met three times with Zelenskyy and has spoken by telephone at least once with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The American Pope has called for a ceasefire and urged Russia in particular to make gestures that would promote peace.
The Vatican has also tried to help return Ukrainian children taken by Russian authorities. Last month, Pope Leo met with some returned children at the Vatican.
Zelenskyy met with the Pope early Tuesday at Castel Gandolfo, a papal residence outside Rome, and was scheduled to have talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later in the day.
