‘It would be great’: Trump envisions Pope in an unprecedented diplomatic role

President Donald Trump has suggested that Pope Leo XIV could act as a mediator in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. This idea came after a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It underscores the Vatican’s possible role as a neutral party in a highly divided global conflict.

While the Vatican has not officially confirmed any offer to mediate, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, at Trump’s request, reached out to Pope Leo and reported that he was open to hosting peace talks. The possibility of Vatican mediation comes from its reputation as a neutral entity, separate from the strategic goals of other potential mediators. Pope Leo himself has stated that the Vatican is ready to help arrange meetings between the warring sides.

According to the Washington Post, Trump had said, “I think it would be great to have it at the Vatican. … I think maybe that could help some of that anger.” This effort marks a major early challenge for the new Pope, who has already taken a more openly pro-Ukraine position than his predecessor, Pope Francis, an insightful man. If he succeeds in mediating a resolution to the war, it could greatly influence the first years of his leadership.

Achieving peace through Vatican mediation faces many difficulties. A peace deal between Russia and Ukraine has been hard to reach, with Russia favoring drawn-out talks while continuing to fight. This has led to accusations that Russia is delaying talks to try to win militarily before making serious negotiations.

Some European countries and the United States have pushed for a ceasefire before talks. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has outright rejected this idea.

Practical problems also stand in the way. European sanctions and travel bans make it hard for Russian officials to participate, raising concerns about their safety if they travel to Italy, where the Vatican is located. Although the 1929 Lateran Treaty ensures safe passage for diplomatic missions to the Vatican, it is not legally clear whether this applies to high-ranking Russian officials, including President Putin.

This means other European countries would need to make logistical exceptions, such as allowing Russian officials to use their airspace. The Vatican has been involved in mediating conflicts before, with mixed results. Past efforts include helping arrange President Obama’s 2016 visit to Cuba and unsuccessful attempts to mediate between the Venezuelan government and its opposition.

The Vatican also hosted talks between Argentina and Chile in the 1980s, which helped prevent war. This serves as a useful historical example, though neither Ukraine nor Russia are majority-Catholic nations. Ukraine, which had previously asked for Vatican help under Pope Francis, has said it is open to talks hosted by the Vatican.

Some Ukrainian officials were initially unhappy with Pope Francis’s position, but they recognize the Vatican’s behind-the-scenes work in arranging prisoner swaps and bringing back hundreds of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. This was done through the Vatican’s diplomatic channels and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. The Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See said Pope Leo is willing to help end the conflict but noted that both sides would need to formally request his involvement.