ROME (AP) 鈥� Pope Leo XIV insisted Tuesday that Europe must have a role in any Ukraine peace deal and criticized what he said was the Trump administration鈥檚 effort to 鈥渂reak apart鈥� the long-standing
Leo spoke to reporters after meeting with , who is on another tour to for Kyiv. The American pope said they discussed the need for a ceasefire and the Vatican鈥檚 efforts to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russian authorities.
Leo was asked about the U.S. 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 Europe鈥檚 role was crucial to any deal.
鈥淪eeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the talks is unrealistic, given the war is in Europe,鈥� he said. 鈥淕uarantees 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 together.鈥�
Zelenskyy has said there are three documents in the peace agreement being discussed with U.S. and European partners, a framework document of 20 points, a second document with security guarantees, and a third document about Ukraine’s recovery.
Leo was asked about the U.S. peace plan for Ukraine but appeared to respond to a broader question about the Trump administration鈥檚 views on the U.S.-Europe alliance. Just last week, the Trump administration released its U.S. , which questions the U.S.-European alliance and stresses a desire to improve U.S.-Russia relations.
Leo said what he had read would 鈥渕ake a huge change in what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States.鈥� Additionally, some comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggest an effort 鈥渢rying to break apart what I think needs to be an alliance today and in the future.鈥�
While some people in the United States may agree with that effort, 鈥淚 think many others would see things in a different way,鈥� Leo said.
The Holy See has tried to remain neutral in Russia’s war while offering solidarity and concrete assistance to what it calls the 鈥渕artyred鈥� people of Ukraine. Leo has met now three times with Zelenskyy and has spoken by telephone at least once with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The 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
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