(Adnkronos) – Under Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican could play a ‘key role’ in ending the 39-month-old Russia-Ukraine conflict were it to host peace talks between the two sides, according to Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani.
“I see it as an opportunity for everyone,” Tajani said in an interview with Catholic newspaper Avvenire on Wednesday.
“The Vatican could play a key role. Leo XIV’s discourse on peace is broad, prophetic, and goes beyond political and economic interests,” said Tajani
“It is a call for universal peace, for a different way for peoples to live together. So we’re talking about a fascinating idea – yes – but more importantly, a credible one, and a genuinely enabling one”.
Russia and Ukraine should not drag out any peace talks at the Vatican by procrastination and posturing but should seize an opportunity to break the current deadlock in negotiations, he said.
“Russians and Ukrainians are Christians. This is a war between Christians. If they are to speak at the Vatican, it won’t be to maintain the status quo. Let’s be clear: the Vatican is not a hotel,” said Tajani.
Pope Leo XIV has confirmed the Vatican’s readiness to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine Italy’s premier Giorgia Meloni’s office stated on Tuesday after she held phone talks with the pontiff.
