US Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the idea of the Holy See to become a place for potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. After the newly elected Pope Lev XIV promised to make every effort to end the war, Rubio called the Vatican a place that would be acceptable to both sides of the conflict.
About it reports Associated Press.
"I would not call the Vatican a mediator, but it is definitely a place where it would be comfortable to turn both parties. We will talk about it, and we are grateful to the Vatican for their willingness to play a constructive and positive role," the US Secretary of State said.
The Holy See has long been offered his diplomatic resources to resolve the war in Ukraine, while maintaining official neutrality. The previous Pontiff, Pope Francis, repeatedly appealed to peace, although his position has provoked an ambiguous reaction through an effort to "balance" the rhetoric on the parties to the conflict.
He instructed Cardinal Matteo Dzuppi Mission for peaceful settlement, which eventually focused mainly on the return of Ukrainian children deported to the Russian Federation. The Vatican also participated in some prisoners of war.
Marco Rubio, while in Rome, met with Dzuppi and thanked the Vatican for his humanitarian activity. At the same time, he stressed that the US is ready to cooperate with the Vatican for the new Pope Leo XIV.
On May 8, the Pope for the first time in history became an American - Lion XIV. In his first Sunday blessing, he confirmed the Vatican's position on Ukraine: "All parties must do everything possible to achieve a true, just and long peace."
Lion XIV is expected to visit Ukraine. La Repubblica reported that the Pontiff plans to visit Turkey, Ukraine and Peru. His visit to Ukraine can be a landmark - not only a symbolic act of support, but possibly a step towards a new phase of the negotiation process. It is known that the Pope received an official invitation from President Vladimir Zelensky.
Despite the high expectations, some experts are about the perspective of the Vatican's peace mission with caution. Historian Anatoly Babinsky emphasizes that no Pope has been able to stop the war.
"History knows many attempts to stop military conflicts - especially in the 20th century, but they were all in vain. The church sometimes acted as a mediator in internal conflicts, mainly in Africa or Latin America, but even the result was ambiguous," the historian emphasizes.
