**A Firm Commitment to Peace: Pope Willing to Host Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks** | WPN World People News

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently stated that she has confirmed with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV that the Vatican is willing to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Pope Leo XIV, who was elected two weeks ago, is the first Catholic pope from the United States. On Wednesday, during his first public meeting with foreign dignitaries at the Vatican, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church reaffirmed in his inaugural address that the Vatican is willing to serve as a mediator in global conflicts. Pope Leo XIV said, “People around the world long for peace. To their leaders, I say from the bottom of my heart: let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate—war is always avoidable.”

Prime Minister Meloni said that during a phone conversation with the Pope, he confirmed his willingness to host the next round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine at the Vatican, with the aim of ending the war. Meloni also held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders to maintain "close coordination" and advance the peace talks. She expressed her gratitude to the Pope for his "steadfast commitment to peace."

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed that holding peace talks at the Vatican would be a great idea and could carry more significance. “I saw people talking about it yesterday. Someone told me they were honored to be involved. So, I think it could be helpful,” Trump said. He added that there is currently great pain and anger, and that the Pope’s involvement in mediation could help ease tensions.