On June 4, Pope Leo XIV spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since his papal election, focusing on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Pope used the opportunity to urge Putin to take meaningful steps toward achieving peace in the region.
While the Vatican generally keeps such conversations private, it confirmed the call took place and shared key topics discussed. These included humanitarian issues, the possibility of exchanging prisoners, and the diplomatic efforts of Cardinal Zuppi, the Vatican’s appointed peace envoy.
During the conversation, Putin reportedly shifted blame onto Ukraine, accusing it of escalating the conflict.
He emphasized the need to address what he sees as the underlying causes of the war rather than immediate ceasefire terms.
This papal outreach comes amid other international diplomatic activity. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also recently disclosed that he spoke with Putin. Their discussion touched on attacks in Ukraine, but Trump admitted that their call did not lead to any concrete progress toward peace.
Pope Leo’s initiative reflects the Vatican’s broader commitment to global peace efforts, especially in war-torn regions. Although it’s unclear whether the call will have any immediate impact, it marks a notable step in diplomatic engagement between the Catholic Church and the Russian government.