Latest news with #CardinalParolin
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
New Pope offers Vatican as a venue for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia - after talks in Istanbul appeared to break down after just an hour and a half
Pope Leo has offered the Vatican as a venue for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. The new pontiff made the gesture to help solve the 'very difficult, dramatic situation'. A spokesman for the leader of the Catholic Church said he was hopeful he could provide an 'opening for peace'. His Holiness's offer yesterday came as Russia and Ukraine each agreed to release 1,000 prisoners before the negotiations in Istanbul appeared to break down after an hour and a half. No progress was made towards a ceasefire in what were the first direct talks between the warring parties for three years. Later in the day Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Pope Leo XIV 'intends to eventually offer the Vatican, the Holy See, for a direct meeting of both parties'. He added: 'It is tragic because we hoped that a process could be started, perhaps slow but with a peaceful solution to the conflict. Instead, we are back at the beginning.' But Cardinal Parolin ruled out a Papal visit to Ukraine, saying it was is 'premature' after Volodymyr Zelensky had invited Leo to Kyiv during a phone call this week. Bridges have already been built at the Vatican between Donald Trump and Ukraine's president, who had face-to-face talks on the day of Pope Francis's funeral last month. It was their first meeting after the acrimonious encounter in the Oval Office in February. Yesterday's talks at the Dolmabahce Palace had been overshadowed by the drama over whether Vladimir Putin would attend. Despite initially proposing them, he stayed away from Istanbul, leaving lower-level officials to hold discussions on his behalf. That move was described as 'a big mistake' by Nato secretary general Mark Rutte. Mr Zelensky had travelled to Turkey but stayed away from Istanbul when it was apparent the Russian president would not attend. According to sources close to the negotiations the chasm between the warring parties was apparent within minutes of the talks starting. Russia has insisted a ceasefire cannot be discussed until after the issues behind the conflict are addressed. And yesterday Ukraine described Russian demands before it will consider a truce as 'non-starters' and 'detached from reality'. These include an end to Western military support for its neighbour and Ukrainian troops withdrawing from four provinces in the east of the country which are partially occupied by Russian forces. In response to Ukraine's refusal to meet the latter demand, a Russian official apparently threatened: 'Next time it will be five regions.' The talks were mediated by Turkey's foreign minister Hakan Fidan, who appealed for a ceasefire 'as soon as possible'. Keir Starmer said: 'I think we need to be really clear in putting the pressure on for a ceasefire. We need to make sure that Putin comes to the table.' President Zelensky, who has repeatedly claimed Mr Putin 'is not serious about peace', has called for Russia to be hit with sanctions on its banking and energy sectors should it continue to hold up peace talks.
Globe and Mail
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Pope meets with head of Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, who invites him to Kyiv
Pope Leo XIV met Thursday at the Vatican with the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, in one of his first audiences as pontiff that reaffirmed his appeal for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia's war. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk said he invited Leo to visit Ukraine and presented the pope with a list of prisoners held by Russia. The Vatican under Pope Francis had worked for prisoner exchanges, as well as for the return of Ukrainian children taken to live in Russian-occupied territories. The Vatican didn't release any statement after the audience, one of the first private audiences held by Leo since his election May 8. In his first Sunday noon blessing as pope, and again during an audience with pilgrims from eastern rite churches this week, Leo has appealed for an end to the war and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. 'I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be freed, and may the children return to their families,' he said Sunday. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said it was 'premature' to think of a possible papal visit to Kyiv, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also suggested during a first phone call with Leo on Monday. The Vatican has a tradition of diplomatic neutrality. Leo has vowed 'every effort' to try to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. 'The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face to face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace,' he said on Wednesday. Leo is to be formally installed at a Mass on Sunday; Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance are expected to attend. Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump in St. Peter's Basilica on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral last month.
BreakingNews.ie
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Pope meets with head of Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine
Pope Leo XIV met at the Vatican with the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine on Thursday, in one of his first audiences as pontiff that reaffirmed his appeal for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia's war. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk said he invited Leo to visit Ukraine and presented the pope with a list of prisoners held by Russia. Advertisement The Vatican under Pope Francis had worked for prisoner exchanges, as well as for the return of Ukrainian children taken to live in Russian-occupied territories. The Vatican did not release any statement after the audience, one of the first private audiences held by Leo since his election on May 8. In his first Sunday noon blessing as pope, and again during an audience with pilgrims from eastern rite churches this week, Leo has appealed for an end to the war and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Pope Leo XIV is to be formally installed at a Mass on Sunday (Gregorio Borgia/AP) 'I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,' he said on Sunday. Advertisement 'Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be freed, and may the children return to their families.' The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said it was 'premature' to think of a possible papal visit to Kyiv, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had also suggested during a first phone call with Leo on Monday. The Vatican has a tradition of diplomatic neutrality. Leo has vowed 'every effort' to try to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. 'The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face to face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace,' he said on Wednesday. Advertisement Leo is to be formally installed at a Mass on Sunday; Mr Zelensky and US vice president JD Vance are expected to attend. Mr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump in St Peter's Basilica on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral last month.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Pope meets with head of Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, who invites him to Kyiv
Pope Leo XIV met Thursday at the Vatican with the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, in one of his first audiences as pontiff that reaffirmed his appeal for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia's war. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk said he invited Leo to visit Ukraine and presented the pope with a list of prisoners held by Russia. The Vatican under Pope Francis had worked for prisoner exchanges, as well as for the return of Ukrainian children taken to live in Russian-occupied territories. The Vatican didn't release any statement after the audience, one of the first private audiences held by Leo since his election May 8. In his first Sunday noon blessing as pope, and again during an audience with pilgrims from eastern rite churches this week, Leo has appealed for an end to the war and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. 'I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be freed, and may the children return to their families,' he said Sunday. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said it was 'premature' to think of a possible papal visit to Kyiv, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also suggested during a first phone call with Leo on Monday. The Vatican has a tradition of diplomatic neutrality. Leo has vowed 'every effort' to try to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. 'The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face to face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace,' he said on Wednesday. Leo is to be formally installed at a Mass on Sunday; Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance are expected to attend. Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump in St. Peter's Basilica on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral last month. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Pope meets with head of Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, who invites him to Kyiv
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV met Thursday at the Vatican with the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, in one of his first audiences as pontiff that reaffirmed his appeal for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia's war. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk said he invited Leo to visit Ukraine and presented the pope with a list of prisoners held by Russia. The Vatican under Pope Francis had worked for prisoner exchanges, as well as for the return of Ukrainian children taken to live in Russian-occupied territories. The Vatican didn't release any statement after the audience, one of the first private audiences held by Leo since his election May 8. In his first Sunday noon blessing as pope, and again during an audience with pilgrims from eastern rite churches this week, Leo has appealed for an end to the war and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. 'I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be freed, and may the children return to their families,' he said Sunday. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said it was 'premature' to think of a possible papal visit to Kyiv, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also suggested during a first phone call with Leo on Monday. The Vatican has a tradition of diplomatic neutrality. Leo has vowed 'every effort' to try to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. 'The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face to face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace,' he said on Wednesday. Leo is to be formally installed at a Mass on Sunday; Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance are expected to attend. Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump in St. Peter's Basilica on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral last month. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
