Pope backs US-brokered talks to end Ukraine war

Pope Leo XIV expressed support during his Sunday Angelus for new US-brokered negotiations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine to end the war in Ukraine, urging concrete results and space for diplomacy. He voiced deep sadness over recent violent attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure that killed innocent people. The Pope called for an end to violence and destruction, opening hearts to dialogue and peace, while noting the three-day truce appears limited to Moscow and Kiev, not other conflict areas. His appeal followed meetings with Latvia's president and the departure of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for Moscow. Vatican diplomacy is conducting parallel efforts, with Archbishop Paul Gallagher meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin advisor Yuri Ushakov in Moscow from August 25-27.