Europe must participate in Ukraine peace deal, says Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV insisted Tuesday that Europe must have a role in any Ukraine peace deal and criticised what he said was the Trump administrations effort to break apart the longstanding USEuropean allianceLeo spoke to reporters after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who is on another tour to rally European support for Kyiv The American pope said they discussed the need for a ceasefire and the Vaticans efforts to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russian authoritiesLeo was asked about the US peace proposal and the seeming sidelining of European powers in the process Speaking as he left his vacation home in Castel Gandolfo Leo insisted that Europes role was crucial to any dealSeeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the talks is unrealistic given the war is in Europe he said Guarantees are also being sought for security today and in the future Europe must be part of this and unfortunately not everyone understands this but I think there is a great opportunity for European leaders to unite and seek a solution togetherZelenskyy has said there are three documents in the peace agreement being discussed with US and European partners a framework document of 20 points a second document with security guarantees and a third document about Ukraines recoveryLeo was asked about the US peace plan for Ukraine but appeared to respond to a broader question about the Trump administrations views on the USEurope alliance Just last week the Trump administration released its US national security strategy which questions the USEuropean alliance and stresses a desire to improve USRussia relationsLeo said what he had read would make a huge change in what was for many many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States Additionally some comments by US President Donald Trump suggest an effort trying to break apart what I think needs to be an alliance today and in the futureWhile some people in the United States may agree with that effort I think many others would see things in a different way Leo saidThe Holy See has tried to remain neutral in Russias war while offering solidarity and concrete assistance to what it calls the martyred people of Ukraine Leo has met now three times with Zelenskyy and has spoken by telephone at least once with Russian President Vladimir PutinThe American pope has called for a ceasefire and urged Russia in particular to make gestures to promote peace The Vatican has also tried to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russian authorities and last month Leo met with some returned children at the VaticanThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever