Pope Leo XIV hopes for swift peace in Ukraine after Witkoff and Kushner visits

Pope Leo XIV expressed hope for a swift peace in Ukraine following visits by US President Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Kyiv and Moscow. The pontiff called for an end to hostilities and voiced expectations that these visits will revive negotiations. The Pope stated his heart sympathizes with the suffering of the Ukrainian people, who have lived in pain and fear for years. He appealed again to stop violence, halt destruction, and open hearts to dialogue, hoping recent efforts to resume talks will bring concrete results and create conditions for diplomacy. Witkoff and Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv on September 5-6, meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and holding three rounds of talks with Ukrainian and European partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the parties agreed to meet again to continue the dialogue.