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New York Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Vatican could be venue for Russia-Ukraine talks, Rubio says, as Pope Leo XIV vows to help end war
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that the Vatican could be a venue for Russia-Ukraine peace talks, taking up the Holy See's longstanding offer after Pope Leo XIV vowed to personally make 'every effort' to help end the war. Speaking to reporters in Rome before meeting with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican point man on Ukraine, Rubio said that he would be discussing potential ways the Vatican could help, 'the status of the talks, the updates after yesterday (Friday), and the path forward.' Asked if the Vatican could be a peace broker, Rubio replied: 'I wouldn't call it broker, but it's certainly — I think it's a place that both sides would be comfortable going.' 6 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that the Vatican could be a venue for Russia-Ukraine peace talks. 'So we'll talk about all of that and obviously always grateful to the Vatican for their willingness to play this constructive and positive role,' said Rubio, who also met Saturday with the Vatican secretary of state and foreign minister. The Vatican has a tradition of diplomatic neutrality and had long offered its services and venues to try to help facilitate talks, but found itself sidelined during the all-out war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Pope Francis, who occasionally angered both Kyiv and Moscow with his off-the-cuff comments, had entrusted Zuppi with a mandate to try to find paths of peace. But the mandate seemed to narrow to help facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia, and the Holy See also was able to mediate some prisoner exchanges. During their meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Rubio thanked Zuppi for the Vatican's humanitarian role, citing in particular prisoner swaps and the return of Ukrainian children. Rubio 'emphasized the importance of continued collaboration under the new leadership of Pope Leo XIV,' U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. 6 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) during a meeting with The Vatican's Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin in The Vatican, 17 May 2025. Leo, who was elected history's first American pope on May 8, took up Francis' call for peace in Ukraine in his first Sunday noon blessing as pope. He appealed for all sides to do whatever possible to reach 'an authentic, just and lasting peace.' Leo, who as a bishop in Peru had called Russia's war an 'imperialist invasion,' vowed this week personally to 'make every effort so that this peace may prevail.' In a speech to Eastern Rite Catholics, including the Greek Catholic Church of Ukraine, Leo begged warring sides to meet and negotiate. 6 Rubio said that he would be discussing potential ways the Vatican could help, 'the status of the talks, the updates after yesterday (Friday), and the path forward.' '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. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, repeated the Vatican's offer to serve as a venue for direct talks, saying the failure of negotiations in Istanbul to reach a ceasefire this week was 'tragic.' 'We had hoped it could start a process, slow but positive, toward a peaceful solution to the conflict,' Parolin said on the sidelines of a conference. 'But instead we're back to the beginning.' 6 Rubio 'emphasized the importance of continued collaboration under the new leadership of Pope Leo XIV,' U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. IPA / Asked concretely what such an offer would entail, Parolin said that the Vatican could serve as a venue for a direct meeting between the two sides. 'One would aim to arrive at this, that at least they talk. We'll see what happens. It's an offer of a place,' he said. 'We have always said, repeated to the two sides that we are available to you, with all the discretion needed,' Parolin said. 6 Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin meets with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a delegation during an audience at the Apostolic Palace on May 17, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican. Getty Images The Vatican scored what was perhaps its greatest diplomatic achievement of the Francis pontificate when it facilitated the talks between the United States and Cuba in 2014 that resulted in the resumption of diplomatic relations. The Holy See has also often hosted far less secret diplomatic initiatives, such as when it brought together the rival leaders of South Sudan in 2019. The encounter was made famous by the image of Francis bending down to kiss their feet to beg them to make peace. 6 During their meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Rubio thanked Zuppi for the Vatican's humanitarian role, citing in particular prisoner swaps and the return of Ukrainian children. Getty Images Perhaps the Holy See's most critical diplomatic initiative came during the peak of the Cuban missile crisis when, in the fall of 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev ordered a secret deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba that were soon detected by U.S. spy planes. As the Kennedy administration considered its response, with the threat of nuclear war looming, Pope John XXIII pleaded for peace in a public radio address, in a speech to Vatican ambassadors and also wrote privately to Kennedy and Khruschev, appealing to their love of their people to stand down. Many historians have credited John XXIII's appeals with helping both sides step back from the brink of nuclear war.
Global News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Could the Vatican host Russia-Ukraine talks? What Marco Rubio said
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that the Vatican could be a venue for Russia-Ukraine peace talks, taking up the Holy See's longstanding offer after Pope Leo XIV vowed to personally make 'every effort' to help end the war. Speaking to reporters in Rome before meeting with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican point man on Ukraine, Rubio said that he would be discussing potential ways the Vatican could help, 'the status of the talks, the updates after yesterday (Friday) and the path forward.' Asked if the Vatican could be a peace broker, Rubio replied: 'I wouldn't call it broker, but it's certainly — I think it's a place that both sides would be comfortable going.' 'So we'll talk about all of that and obviously always grateful to the Vatican for their willingness to play this constructive and positive role,' he said at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. Story continues below advertisement The Vatican has a tradition of diplomatic neutrality and had long offered its services to try to help facilitate talks, but found itself sidelined during the all-out war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Pope Francis, who often angered both sides with his comments, had entrusted Zuppi with a mandate to try to find paths of peace. But the mandate seemed to narrow to help facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia, and the Holy See also was able to mediate some prisoner exchanges. Leo, who was elected history's first American pope on May 8, took up Francis' call for peace in Ukraine in his first Sunday noon blessing as pope. He appealed for all sides to do whatever possible to reach 'an authentic, just and lasting peace.' 3:28 Russia, Ukraine agree to exchange 1000 prisoners during peace talks in Turkey Leo, who as a bishop in Peru had called Russia's war an 'imperialist invasion,' vowed this week personally to 'make every effort so that this peace may prevail.' Story continues below advertisement In a speech to eastern rite Catholics, including the Greek Catholic Church of Ukraine, Leo begged warring sides to meet and negotiate. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy '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. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, repeated the Vatican's offer to serve as a venue for direct talks, saying the failure of negotiations in Istanbul to reach a ceasefire this week was 'tragic.' 'We had hoped it could start a process, slow but positive, toward a peaceful solution to the conflict,' Parolin said on the sidelines of a conference. 'But instead we're back to the beginning.' Asked concretely what such an offer would entail, Parolin said that the Vatican could serve as a venue for a direct meeting between the two sides. 'One would aim to arrive at this, that at least they talk. We'll see what happens. It's an offer of a place,' he said. 2:09 Ukrainian soldiers expect Russia to keep attacking during peace talks: 'Enemy is not going to stop' 'We have always said, repeated to the two sides that we are available to you, with all the discretion needed,' Parolin said. Story continues below advertisement The Vatican scored what was perhaps its greatest diplomatic achievement of the Francis pontificate when it facilitated the talks between the United States and Cuba in 2014 that resulted in the resumption of diplomatic relations. The Holy See has also often hosted far less secret diplomatic initiatives, such as when it brought together the rival leaders of South Sudan in 2019. The encounter was made famous by the image of Francis bending down to kiss their feet to beg them to make peace. Perhaps the Holy See's most critical diplomatic initiative came during the peak of the Cuban missile crisis when, in the fall of 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev ordered a secret deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba that were soon detected by U.S. spy planes. 1:37 Russia-Ukraine peace talks descend into mudslinging after Putin no-shows As the Kennedy administration considered its response, with the threat of nuclear war looming, Pope John XXIII pleaded for peace in a public radio address, in a speech to Vatican ambassadors and also wrote privately to Kennedy and Khruschev, appealing to their love of their people to stand down. Story continues below advertisement Many historians have credited John XXIII's appeals with helping both sides step back from the brink of nuclear war.
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Vatican could be a venue for Russia-Ukraine talks, Rubio says, after pope renews an offer to help
ROME (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that the Vatican could be a venue for Russia-Ukraine peace talks, taking up the Holy See's longstanding offer after Pope Leo XIV vowed to personally make 'every effort' to help end the war. Speaking to reporters in Rome before meeting with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican point man on Ukraine, Rubio said that he would be discussing potential ways the Vatican could help, 'the status of the talks, the updates after yesterday (Friday) and the path forward.' Asked if the Vatican could be a peace broker, Rubio replied: 'I wouldn't call it broker, but it's certainly — I think it's a place that both sides would be comfortable going.' 'So we'll talk about all of that and obviously always grateful to the Vatican for their willingness to play this constructive and positive role,' he said at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. The Vatican has a tradition of diplomatic neutrality and had long offered its services to try to help facilitate talks, but found itself sidelined during the all-out war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Pope Francis, who often angered both sides with his comments, had entrusted Zuppi with a mandate to try to find paths of peace. But the mandate seemed to narrow to help facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia, and the Holy See also was able to mediate some prisoner exchanges. Leo, who was elected history's first American pope on May 8, took up Francis' call for peace in Ukraine in his first Sunday noon blessing as pope. He appealed for all sides to do whatever possible to reach 'an authentic, just and lasting peace.' Leo, who as a bishop in Peru had called Russia's war an 'imperialist invasion,' vowed this week personally to 'make every effort so that this peace may prevail.' In a speech to eastern rite Catholics, including the Greek Catholic Church of Ukraine, Leo begged warring sides to meet and negotiate. '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. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, repeated the Vatican's offer to serve as a venue for direct talks, saying the failure of negotiations in Istanbul to reach a ceasefire this week was 'tragic.' 'We had hoped it could start a process, slow but positive, toward a peaceful solution to the conflict,' Parolin said on the sidelines of a conference. 'But instead we're back to the beginning.' Asked concretely what such an offer would entail, Parolin said that the Vatican could serve as a venue for a direct meeting between the two sides. 'One would aim to arrive at this, that at least they talk. We'll see what happens. It's an offer of a place,' he said. 'We have always said, repeated to the two sides that we are available to you, with all the discretion needed,' Parolin said. The Vatican scored what was perhaps its greatest diplomatic achievement of the Francis pontificate when it facilitated the talks between the United States and Cuba in 2014 that resulted in the resumption of diplomatic relations. The Holy See has also often hosted far less secret diplomatic initiatives, such as when it brought together the rival leaders of South Sudan in 2019. The encounter was made famous by the image of Francis bending down to kiss their feet to beg them to make peace. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Perhaps the Holy See's most critical diplomatic initiative came during the peak of the Cuban missile crisis when, in the fall of 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev ordered a secret deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba that were soon detected by U.S. spy planes. As the Kennedy administration considered its response, with the threat of nuclear war looming, Pope John XXIII pleaded for peace in a public radio address, in a speech to Vatican ambassadors and also wrote privately to Kennedy and Khruschev, appealing to their love of their people to stand down. Many historians have credited John XXIII's appeals with helping both sides step back from the brink of nuclear war. ___ 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.
Euronews
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Pope Leo XIV offers to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks at the Vatican
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV has suggested that the Vatican could host high-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, as Istanbul talks were watered down following Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to come face to face with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin's statement on Friday, the supreme pontiff plans to "if necessary, provide the Vatican, the Holy See, as a direct meeting (place) between the two sides." Parolin has also expressed his disappointment with the talks in Turkey, which took place on Friday. "It's all tragic because we hoped that a process would begin, perhaps slowly, but with a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Instead, we are back to square one." "Now we will see what to do, but the situation is very difficult, dramatic," Parolin added. On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV received the head of Ukraine's Greek Catholic Church at the Vatican, who thanked the supreme pontiff for his call for a peaceful, negotiated resolution to Russia's war in Ukraine during one of his first audiences as pontiff. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Galicia, said he invited the pope to visit Ukraine and handed him a list of Ukrainian prisoners currently held by Russia. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican had actively supported prisoner exchanges and advocated for the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russian-occupied regions. The Vatican did not issue a formal statement following the meeting, which marked one of the earliest such engagements for the new pope since his election on 8 May. Since his appointment, Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly voiced his solidarity with Ukraine. During his first Sunday Angelus blessing and again this week while addressing pilgrims from Eastern Rite churches, he renewed his appeal for an end to the conflict. 'I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,' the pontiff said on Sunday. '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.' Parolin said on Thursday that it remained 'premature' to consider a papal visit to Kyiv, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raising the possibility in his first phone call with the pope earlier this week. While the Vatican traditionally maintains diplomatic neutrality, Pope Leo XIV has pledged to make 'every effort' to foster dialogue to end wars. '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. Pope Leo XIV is set to be officially appointed during a Mass at the Vatican on Sunday, with Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance expected to attend.
Euronews
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Greek Catholic Church leader invites Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine
Pope Leo XIV received the head of Ukraine's Greek Catholic Church at the Vatican on Thursday, who thanked the supreme pontiff for his call for a peaceful, negotiated resolution to Russia's war in Ukraine during one of his first audiences as pontiff. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Galicia, said he invited the pope to visit Ukraine and handed him a list of Ukrainian prisoners currently held by Russia. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican had actively supported prisoner exchanges and advocated for the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russian-occupied regions. The Vatican did not issue a formal statement following the meeting, which marked one of the earliest such engagements for the new pope since his election on 8 May. Since his appointment, Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly voiced his solidarity with Ukraine. During his first Sunday Angelus blessing and again this week while addressing pilgrims from Eastern Rite churches, he renewed his appeal for an end to the conflict. 'I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,' the pontiff said on Sunday. '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.' Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, said on Thursday that it remained 'premature' to consider a papal visit to Kyiv, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raising the possibility in his first phone call with the pope earlier this week. While the Vatican traditionally maintains diplomatic neutrality, Pope Leo XIV has pledged to make 'every effort' to foster dialogue to end wars. '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. Pope Leo XIV is set to be officially appointed during a Mass at the Vatican on Sunday, with Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance expected to attend.
