New Phone Conversation Between Pope Leo XIV and Vladimir Putin

Pope Leo XIV had his first conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, a call that was confirmed by both the Vatican and the Kremlin the following day. They talked about the church’s humanitarian initiatives in Ukraine.

A statement from the Holy See highlighted Russia’s emphasis on taking constructive steps to conclude the invasion of Ukraine, which started back in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea but escalated significantly with the full-scale invasion in 2022. There seems to be a sense of urgency for action regarding Ukraine.

Since his election as Pope in May after Pope Francis’ passing, Leo has garnered public attention due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, making calls for prayers and denouncing the genocide happening there. Shortly after his election, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

During the call, the Pope urged Putin to make a gesture toward peace, as explained by Matteo Bruni, the communications chief for the Holy See. Bruni mentioned that the importance of dialogue for conflict resolution was also emphasized.

In addition, the Pope expressed his appreciation for the relationship with leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church, highlighting the significance of their connection.

Bruni noted, “Pope Leo mentioned Patriarch Kirill and thanked him for the reception given to him at the start of his papacy.”

The Vatican also indicated that the leaders discussed the ongoing prisoner exchange efforts between Russia and Ukraine.

According to the Kremlin’s comments regarding the conversation, Putin expressed admiration for the Vatican and congratulated the Pope on his election, acknowledging the Vatican’s role in addressing numerous humanitarian issues in Ukraine.

Russian news reported that Putin appreciated the Vatican’s readiness to assist in the reconciliation process in Ukraine. Interestingly, there hadn’t been prior contact between Putin and the Pope until now, making this conversation a notable first. Putin congratulated Leo during this initial opportunity since the Conclave.

Putin conveyed gratitude to the clergy for Ukraine’s willingness to promote peaceful resolution but refrained from addressing the role of formal mediators in detail.

In an official Kremlin statement, Putin reiterated the necessity of achieving peace through political and diplomatic avenues, asserting that the fundamental issues behind the crisis must be resolved to find a lasting solution.

Continuing, the statement expressed appreciation for contributions toward resolving the humanitarian issues at hand, while also criticizing Ukraine for escalating the conflict and attacking Russian civilian infrastructure.

Accusations were made suggesting that Ukraine had engaged in “terrorism” with strikes aimed at Russian territory.

In context, Putin also spoke with former President Trump on the same day, following previous accusations from Trump regarding Putin’s actions targeting civilians in Ukraine. Trump described their conversation as “good,” but did not believe it would lead to immediate peace.

“It was a good conversation, but not one that immediately led to peace,” Trump remarked on his social media, reflecting a cautious optimism.

Trump had previously criticized Putin for ordering drone strikes that targeted Ukrainian civilians, remarking, “He’s absolutely crazy!” in a post from May.

He warned that if Putin continues his ambitions over Ukraine, it could ultimately lead to Russia’s downfall.

The Kremlin dismissed Trump’s comments as “emotional,” showcasing a degree of tension in the rhetoric.

Amidst the conflict, Ukraine reportedly managed to down several Russian aircraft over the weekend, which has escalated frustrations in Moscow, particularly given the context of ongoing attacks on Russian territories. Efforts to foster dialogue between Putin and Zelensky to negotiate peace have seen no success over the last month.

Pope Leo has made it clear that addressing the war in Ukraine is a top priority. After his initial Sunday blessing post-election, he prayed for peace and for the release of prisoners.

“I carry the suffering of my beloved Ukrainians in my heart,” Leo expressed then, wishing for all prisoners to be freed and children to return to their families.

His conversation with Zelensky was described as “very warm and truly substantive” by the Ukrainian presidency. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the Pope’s support and for stressing the importance of achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Not long after, the two leaders met in person at the Vatican during a visit from other officials for the Pope’s inaugural Mass.