America’s first Pope and Trump’s Vice President forge unprecedented Vatican alliance to broker peace in war-torn Ukraine as Zelenskyy makes impassioned plea for “real diplomacy.”
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, met with Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican to discuss diplomatic efforts for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- The meetings occurred during Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass, bringing together key international figures including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and European leaders.
- President Trump plans direct talks with both Putin and Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to the war, with the Vatican offering to host peace negotiations.
- The Holy See has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict, with Pope Leo XIV pledging to “make every effort so that peace may prevail.”
- Russia launched its largest drone attack against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, even as diplomatic efforts intensified in Rome.
Historic Vatican Summit Brings Together American Leadership and the Holy See
In an unprecedented diplomatic convergence, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Vatican for discussions centered on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The meeting, part of the Pope’s inaugural activities following his May 8th election as the first American pontiff, highlighted the new era in Vatican diplomacy under Leo’s leadership. Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, who served as an Augustinian missionary in Peru, Pope Leo has quickly established peace in Ukraine as a cornerstone of his papacy, offering the Holy See’s services as a neutral mediator in the increasingly complex international crisis.
The Vatican described the encounter as cordial talks marked by satisfaction at the good bilateral relations between the United States and the Holy See. This positive tone represents a significant shift from previous tensions, as Vance had reportedly experienced difficult meetings with Pope Francis over immigration policies. Pope Leo’s American heritage brings a unique dimension to these diplomatic efforts, potentially strengthening collaboration between the Vatican and the Trump administration on the global stage. The meeting signals the Holy See’s intensified involvement in international peacemaking efforts.
📍Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said on X that he held a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Rubio in Italian capital Rome during Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass in Vatican
Key highlights:
• Zelenskyy says he discussed the direct peace talks… pic.twitter.com/C1RkOJRJv3
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 18, 2025
Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Push in Rome
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a strategic appearance at the papal inaugural Mass, using the gathering of world leaders to advance his country’s case for peace. In addition to meeting Pope Leo XIV, Zelenskyy held significant discussions with Vice President Vance, their first face-to-face encounter since a previously contentious meeting. The Ukrainian president emphasized the critical need for real diplomacy and pushed for a full and unconditional ceasefire as Russian aggression continues to devastate his country, most recently evidenced by Moscow launching its largest drone attack against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began.
“The authority and voice of the Holy See can play an important role in bringing this war to an end,” said Zelenskyy during his visit to the Vatican.
Zelenskyy’s Rome agenda reflected the comprehensive diplomatic effort underway, as he also engaged with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. These discussions covered a broad range of critical topics, including sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade agreements, defense cooperation, battlefield situations, and prisoner exchanges. Even as these diplomatic efforts unfolded, Ukraine’s air force successfully intercepted and electronically jammed a significant number of Russian drones targeting multiple regions.
"Putin will have a telephone conversation with President Trump today at 17:00," Kremlin spokesperson Peskov said.
According to Peskov, the conversation will take place taking into account the results of the talks in Istanbul.
He also said that a possible meeting between Putin… https://t.co/Q0K0ZaFdBv pic.twitter.com/mYdNLeRPQg
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) May 19, 2025
Trump’s Direct Approach to Peace Negotiations
Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined President Trump’s strategy for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, revealing plans for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The mechanics of setting that kind of meeting up would require a little bit of work, so I can’t say that’s being planned as we speak in terms of picking a site and a date, but the president wants to do it. He wants to do it as soon as feasible,” Rubio explained, emphasizing the necessity of face-to-face negotiations between the two leaders to achieve meaningful progress toward peace.
“On the one hand, we’re trying to achieve peace and end a very bloody, costly and destructive war. So, there’s some element of patience that is required. On the other hand, we don’t have time to waste. There are a lot of other things happening in the world that we also need to be paying attention to,” added Rubio, highlighting the administration’s balanced approach to resolving the conflict.
The Trump administration’s peace initiative faces significant challenges, as Putin recently rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal for direct negotiations in Turkey. However, both sides did agree to a prisoner exchange, potentially opening a narrow pathway for further diplomatic progress. President Trump’s comprehensive strategy includes discussions not only with Putin and Zelenskyy but also with NATO leadership, reflecting his commitment to a multilateral approach to achieving lasting peace in the region while maintaining America’s strategic interests and alliances.
The Vatican’s Emerging Role as Peace Broker
Pope Leo XIV has quickly established himself as a potential key mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pledging he will make every effort so that this peace may prevail. As the first American pope, Leo brings a unique perspective to the Vatican’s diplomatic efforts, potentially bridging divides between Eastern and Western approaches to the conflict. The Holy See has officially offered to host peace negotiations and has been deeply involved in humanitarian efforts related to the war, positioning itself as a neutral party trusted by multiple sides in the complex geopolitical struggle.
In addition to meeting with Pope Leo himself, Vice President Vance also held discussions with the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Richard Gallagher, focusing on broader international issues and humanitarian law. This multilevel engagement demonstrates the serious commitment of both the Vatican and the Trump administration to finding a path toward peace. The unprecedented alliance between America’s first Pope and Trump’s administration represents a potentially powerful force for diplomatic progress in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and destabilized global security.
