Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni said on Tuesday evening that the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, confirmed to her in a telephone conversation the Vatican's readiness to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
"The conversation (with the pope) followed yesterday's telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump and other European leaders, during which Giorgio Meloni was asked to confirm the readiness of the Holy See to host the negotiations," the Italian prime minister's office said.
Giorgia Meloni said that after the phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, she spoke by phone with the presidents of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, France's Emmanuel Macron, and Finland's Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
According to her, it was then positively assessed that the Vatican would host negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
"After the Pope expressed his willingness to host further talks between the two sides at the Vatican, Meloni thanked the Pope for his continued commitment to peace," her office said in a statement.
It added that the Prime Minister spoke today with Zelensky, Macron, Stub, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Merz and Von der Leyen to "maintain close coordination of partners with the aim of a new round of negotiations aimed at a ceasefire and peace agreement in Ukraine."
On Sunday, the Pope offered his mediation to warring parties around the world.
"The Holy See is available so that enemies can meet and look each other in the eye, so that people can rediscover the hope and dignity that is theirs, the dignity of peace," said Leo XIV.
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