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4d ago

Pope Leo XIV Urges End to Violence as Trump-Putin Summit Opens

He appealed to world leaders to halt violence in Ukraine; highlighted civilian suffering in Gaza; underscored the Vatican’s offer to host peace talks that Russia rejected.

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus prayer, in Castel Gandolfo, in the outskirts of Rome, Friday, Aug.15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Leo XIV is greeted by faithful as he arrives at the St. Thomas of Villanova Church to celebrate a mass, in Castel Gandolfo, on the outskirts of Rome, Friday, Aug.15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Leo XIV is greeted by faithful as he arrives at the St. Thomas of Villanova Church to celebrate a mass, in Castel Gandolfo, in the outskirts of Rome, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Leo XIV greets faithful at the end of the Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Friday, Aug.15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Overview

  • On Aug. 15 at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV prayed for peace and called for an end to “increasingly deafening” global violence as President Trump and President Putin met in Alaska.
  • Since his May election, the pope has directly engaged with leaders, meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 9 and urging Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone to make gestures toward peace.
  • The Holy See offered to host the Trump-Putin summit in Rome, but Russia declined the Vatican’s proposal for a neutral venue.
  • European leaders such as Donald Tusk and Friedrich Merz have insisted that any territorial discussions include Ukraine and warned President Trump against trusting Russia’s commitments.
  • Citing United Nations reports, Leo highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stressing the urgent need to free hostages and deliver aid to malnourished and displaced civilians.