The Vatican has a deep history of conflict mediation, with varying degrees of success. An effort by the pope to end the war in Ukraine would face long odds.

The Pope is the only one capable of protecting these people,’ Ukraine’s top Catholic leader tells Leo XIV in personal Vatican appeal.

The conversation took place after Meloni held phone talks with US President Donald Trump and other European leaders. Read also: Pope Leo XIV urges lasting peace in Ukraine in first public address “Having received confirmation from His Holiness of the Vatican’s readiness to host future talks between the parties,