Pope Leo XIV responds to Witkoff and Kushner's Kyiv visit

Pope Leo XIV has responded to the recent visit of Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Kyiv and Moscow, expressing hope for a swift peace in Ukraine and calling for an end to hostilities. In a post on X, the Pontiff voiced sympathy for Ukrainians who have "lived in torment and fear for years," urging an end to violence and opening hearts to dialogue. He expressed hope that recent efforts to resume negotiations will yield concrete results and create conditions for diplomacy. Witkoff stated that without communication with Russia, chances for a peaceful settlement are slim, noting significant progress in Moscow. Kushner said it is premature to discuss when peace will come, emphasizing ongoing work to create proper conditions.