America’s first Pope and Vice President Vance forge unprecedented alliance in pursuit of peace for Ukraine as Zelenskyy pleads for “real diplomacy” amid Russia’s largest drone attack of the war.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican to discuss diplomatic efforts toward ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in high-level meetings in Rome with U.S. officials, European leaders, and Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing the need for a “full and unconditional ceasefire.”
- President Trump plans to speak directly with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to broker peace, with Rubio suggesting a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin is essential for progress.
- The Vatican has offered to host peace negotiations while Russia launched its largest drone attack against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic efforts.
Historic Vatican Meeting Sets Stage for Peace Initiative
In a watershed moment for both American and Vatican diplomacy, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The meeting, occurring shortly after the Pope’s May 8th election and inaugural Mass, marks a significant shift in the Catholic Church’s approach to international politics under its first American pontiff. Photographs released by the Vatican showed the American officials in cordial conversation with Pope Leo, who has pledged his commitment to peace since assuming the papacy. The timing of these discussions is particularly crucial as Russia intensifies its military actions against Ukraine.
The Vatican described the discussions as cordial talks that highlighted satisfaction at the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States. Beyond meeting with the Pope, Vance engaged with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, to address broader international issues and humanitarian concerns. This marks a significant diplomatic advancement compared to Vance’s previously tense meeting with Pope Francis regarding immigration policies, suggesting a new chapter in Vatican-U.S. relations under Pope Leo’s leadership.
đUkrainian President Zelenskyy said on X that he held a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Rubio in Italian capital Rome during Pope Leo XIVâs inauguration mass in Vatican
Key highlights:
â˘â â Zelenskyy says he discussed the direct peace talks⌠pic.twitter.com/C1RkOJRJv3
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 18, 2025
Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Push in Rome
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seized the opportunity presented by Pope Leo’s inaugural events to conduct a diplomatic blitz in Rome. Meeting with Vance for their first face-to-face encounter since a previous contentious meeting, Zelenskyy stressed the urgent need for real diplomacy to bring the conflict to a close. The Ukrainian leader also held talks with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, underscoring the international dimension of efforts to resolve the war.
“The authority and voice of the Holy See can play an important role in bringing this war to an end,” Zelenskyy stated during his meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
The meetings encompassed discussions on sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade arrangements, defense cooperation, battlefield situations, and potential prisoner exchanges. Notably, while Putin rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal for direct negotiations in Turkey, both sides have agreed to proceed with a prisoner exchange, potentially signaling an opening for further diplomatic engagement. These discussions occur against the backdrop of Russia launching its largest drone attack against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, with Ukrainian air forces intercepting and electronically jamming many of the drones.
President Trump’s Peace Plan Takes Shape
Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined President Trump’s strategy for ending the conflict, emphasizing direct engagement with key leaders. “The mechanics of setting that kind of meeting up would require a little bit of work, so I can’t say that’s being planned as we speak in terms of picking a site and a date, but the president wants to do it. He wants to do it as soon as feasible,” Rubio explained regarding a potential Trump-Putin summit. This approach aligns with Trump’s longstanding emphasis on personal diplomacy and his confidence in direct negotiations to resolve complex international disputes.
“On the one hand, we’re trying to achieve peace and end a very bloody, costly and destructive war. So, there’s some element of patience that is required. On the other hand, we don’t have time to waste. There are a lot of other things happening in the world that we also need to be paying attention to,” Rubio noted regarding the administration’s approach.
The Trump administration’s peace initiative involves a multi-pronged strategy: direct talks with Putin, consultations with Zelenskyy, and coordination with NATO allies. This comprehensive approach seeks to address the complex geopolitical factors that have prolonged the conflict. Vatican officials have expressed their support for these diplomatic efforts, with Pope Leo XIV pledging that he will make every effort so that this peace may prevail. The Pope’s background as an Augustinian missionary in Peru has informed his commitment to peace-building and humanitarian concerns in conflict zones worldwide.
Vatican’s Emerging Role as Peace Broker
Pope Leo XIV’s election represents a potential turning point in the Vatican’s engagement with the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As the first American pope, Leo brings a unique perspective to the Holy See’s diplomatic efforts, having previously served as Cardinal Robert Prevost. The Vatican has formally offered to host peace negotiations between the warring parties and has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts related to the war, including prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. This expanded role builds upon initiatives started under Pope Francis’s leadership.
“I will make every effort so that this peace may prevail,” Pope Leo XIV declared, signaling his personal commitment to ending the bloodshed in Ukraine.
The Vatican’s involvement introduces a moral dimension to peace negotiations that complements the political and strategic considerations driving U.S. and European diplomatic initiatives. With his American background and missionary experience, Pope Leo may be uniquely positioned to bridge divides between Western and Russian perspectives on the conflict. The coordination between Vatican diplomacy and the Trump administration’s peace efforts could provide multiple channels for dialogue, increasing the prospects for a negotiated settlement that addresses security concerns while ending the humanitarian crisis that has devastated Ukraine.
