German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stressed the unique influence of the Pope and the Vatican in fostering dialogue among conflicting parties.
Newsroom (23/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, could play a pivotal role in resolving international conflicts, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said during a visit to the Vatican on Monday. Speaking after his first private audience with the pontiff, Steinmeier emphasized the unique influence of the Pope and the Vatican in fostering dialogue among conflicting parties.
“We cannot do without the Pope and the Vatican offering their help,” Steinmeier said, highlighting the pontiff’s potential to mediate in global crises. Pope Leo, who assumed the papacy earlier this year, has already signaled his readiness to facilitate negotiations, notably offering to host representatives from Russia and Ukraine. The pontiff has also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss pathways to peace.
Steinmeier, a Protestant, urged the Pope to persist in his mediation efforts despite challenges. “We must have no doubt at all that the Pope is prepared to throw his full weight into the balance,” he said, acknowledging the pontiff’s commitment. However, he noted a shared assessment that “at the present time, there is no willingness on the Russian side to engage in dialogue.”
Beyond geopolitics, the two leaders discussed the declining rates of church attendance in Europe and its implications for societal cohesion. “This is not just a matter for the Pope and the Vatican,” Steinmeier remarked. “My firm conviction is that the churches can and must play a positive role in the cohesion of our societies.”
Steinmeier extended an invitation to Pope Leo to visit Germany, underscoring the importance of continued collaboration. Following his Vatican visit, the German president was scheduled to meet with representatives from three Rome-based UN agencies: the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The German president’s visit highlights the Vatican’s enduring role as a diplomatic and moral force on the global stage, with Pope Leo XIV emerging as a key figure in addressing both spiritual and geopolitical challenges.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from DPA
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