On June 4, Pope Leo XIV had a phone call with Vladimir Putin, asking the president to open the gates of peace with a pastoral plea for dialogue. Despite the Vatican’s hopeful tone, Russia’s official response was not one that many expected.
Keep reading to learn more about what happened on the phone between the Vatican and the Kremlin.
Only one month into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is already making high stakes moves, showing the world that he’s not just praying for peace but is actually working for it.
On June 4, the Vatican confirmed a direct conversation between the pope – the first American pontiff – and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The announcement alone was enough to send ripples through the global diplomatic sphere, but the content of the conversation was even more intriguing.
Against the somber backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the head of the Catholic Church reached out not to condemn, but to encourage dialogue, humanitarian effort, and ultimately, peace.
‘Importance of dialogue’
The Vatican’s spokesperson Matteo Bruni gave an official summary of the conversation, noting that the pair “discussed the humanitarian situation, as well as the need to facilitate aid where necessary.”
“The pope made an appeal for Russia to take a gesture that would favor peace, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to create positive contacts between the parties and seek solutions to the conflict,” Bruni said in the statement.
Reportedly, the two leaders also touched on ongoing efforts to secure prisoner exchanges, highlighting the crucial diplomatic role of Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna, whose behind-the-scenes work has become a key thread in the Vatican’s peace mission.
Religious olive branch
According to the statement, the pope also graciously acknowledged Russian Patriarch Kirill, even as he remains controversial for his alignment with Kremlin policies.
“Pope Leo made reference to Patriarch Kirill, thanking him for the congratulations received at the beginning of his pontificate, and underlined how shared Christian values can be a light that helps to seek peace, defend life, and pursue genuine religious freedom,” Bruni explained.
Putin’s claims
