Pope Leo XIV, after meeting Zelenskyy, insists Europe must co-shape any Ukraine peace deal and criticizes Trump administration moves to “break apart” U.S.-European alliance.
Newsroom (10/12/2025 Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV sharply criticized the Trump administration Tuesday for what he described as an attempt to “break apart” the historic U.S.-European alliance, while insisting that any peace agreement to end Russia’s war in Ukraine would be unrealistic without direct European participation.
Speaking to reporters outside his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo after a private audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the American pontiff underscored Europe’s indispensable role in forging a durable settlement.
“Seeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the talks is unrealistic, given the war is in Europe,” Pope Leo said. “Guarantees 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.”
President Zelenskyy, on his latest tour to shore up European backing for Kyiv, briefed the pope on the three documents currently under discussion with U.S. and European partners: a 20-point framework agreement, a separate pact on security guarantees, and a third document focused on Ukraine’s postwar recovery.
The pope’s remarks came in direct response to questions about the Trump administration’s emerging Ukraine peace proposal, which European diplomats have privately complained appears to sideline the continent’s major powers.
Leo’s critique widened, however, to encompass the broader direction of U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. Referring to the national security strategy released by the administration just last week – a document that openly questions the value of the transatlantic alliance while prioritizing improved relations with Moscow – the pontiff warned of a historic rupture.
“What I have read would make a huge change in what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States,” he said. Some statements emanating from Washington, he added, give the impression of “trying to break apart what I think needs to be an alliance today and in the future.”
“While some people in the United States may agree with that effort,” Leo continued, “I think many others would see things in a different way.”
Throughout Russia’s nearly three-year war against Ukraine, the Holy See has sought to maintain formal neutrality while expressing repeated solidarity with what Pope Leo has repeatedly called the “martyred” Ukrainian people. The Vatican has offered concrete humanitarian assistance and has positioned itself as a potential mediator.
Leo has now met Zelenskyy three times and has spoken at least once by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and urged Moscow, in particular, to make unilateral gestures toward peace.
One of the Vatican’s most visible initiatives has been its quiet diplomacy to secure the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia or Russian-controlled territory. Last month the pope personally welcomed a group of returned children at the Vatican.
Tuesday’s encounter at Castel Gandolfo – traditionally a venue for informal summer audiences – underscored the deepening personal channel between the first American pope and the Ukrainian leader as diplomatic efforts to end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II enter a delicate new phase.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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