During a press conference on Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude for Pope Leo XIV’s offer to host peace talks regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, he suggested that it’s unlikely the Vatican will play a significant role in mediating a peace agreement in Eastern Europe.
When questioned about whether he would address the ongoing war during a discussion with Italian officials, Rubio confirmed, “Yes,” and added, “We appreciate your involvement in this process. Many countries have contributed, but I think this is important. I’ll provide updates on the consultations and the progress made.”
Earlier this week, a senior Vatican official indicated that the Vatican might facilitate peace discussions between Moscow and Kyiv, particularly after Russian President Vladimir Putin missed a debate in Türkiye.
Rubio was asked if the Vatican could act as a broker for the talks, especially since the moderator had called for a ceasefire. He remarked, “I wouldn’t refer to it as being a broker. However, it’s certainly a space where both parties might feel at ease coming together.” He acknowledged the Catholic Church’s commitment to promoting peace.
He added, “We value the ongoing efforts to facilitate prisoner exchanges, not just in mediating peace. There are children who have been taken from their homes, and Ukrainians are hoping to bring them back.” He emphasized the Vatican’s involvement in these humanitarian efforts.
Rubio noted, “We discussed these issues, and we always appreciate the Vatican’s positive and constructive role.” It’s also worth mentioning that the Vatican hosted a recent meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelensky, who attended for Pope Francis’ funeral.
Vice President Vance plans to visit Vatican City on Sunday as part of a U.S. delegation for the inauguration mass of U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV.
Rubio’s remarks followed negotiations in Istanbul earlier in the week, where Zelensky attended, but both Trump and Putin were notably absent. Trump has recently shown signs of frustration regarding the ongoing conflict, as ceasefire discussions continue. Both Rubio and the president have indicated that any agreements, such as a proposed 30-day ceasefire, would likely necessitate a face-to-face meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders.
