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Pope Leo XIV Says the Vatican Is Ready to Help Enemies Face One Another

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Pope Leo XIV Says the Vatican Is Ready to Help Enemies Face One Another
Cardinal Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the Saint Peter’s Basilica balcony, at Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican on April 8, 2025 (Source: Getty Images)

Pope Leo XIV has offered the Holy See’s mediation to help end wars around the world, urging global leaders to engage in dialogue and negotiation rather than continued violence, according to the French newspaper Le Monde on May 14.

Speaking at the Vatican before representatives of 23 Eastern Christian Churches, the newly elected pontiff expressed the Vatican’s willingness to help “enemies look each other in the eye” in hopes of restoring dignity and peace to suffering populations.

“The Holy See is available to enable enemies to meet and look each other in the eye, so that peoples may regain the hope and dignity that are theirs — the dignity of peace,” said Pope Leo XIV.

Referencing the world’s most urgent war zones — including Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, the Middle East, Ethiopia’s Tigray region, and the Caucasus — the American-born pope condemned ongoing violence and pledged to do all he can to advance peace.

“I will do everything possible to ensure that this peace spreads,” he promised.

Pope Leo also made an emotional appeal directly to political leaders, calling for face-to-face meetings and renewed diplomacy to stop the bloodshed.

“The people want peace and, with my hand on my heart, I say to the leaders of the people: let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate! War is never inevitable, weapons can and must be silenced, because they do not solve problems, they aggravate them,” he said.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his first phone call with newly elected Pope Leo XIV.

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