The Holy Throne is ready to accept direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in its territory. This was reported by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Wandelin, commenting on the proposal of Pope Lion XIV, reports Politico .
The Cardinal called the failure in Istanbul "tragic", stressed that the Vatican is ready to make every effort to restore peaceful dialogue.
"It's all tragic, because we hoped that it may be a slow but peaceful process of solving the war. Instead, we returned to the beginning," Prolin said.
According to him, Pope Leo XIV expressed his willingness to make the Vatican space for a direct meeting between Kiev and Moscow.
The peace in Ukraine has already been called Lev XIV one of the main priorities of his pontificate. In the early days of his ministry, he had a telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and in the first Sunday speech on St. Peter's Square, he mentioned the "suffering of a favorite Ukrainian people."
Also, during an audience, the Pontiff appealed to the leaders of Russia and Ukraine during an audience with representatives of the Eastern Churches. In his first message on platform X, the Pope wrote: "I would like this greetings to echo in your hearts, in your families and among all peoples - wherever you are, in every nation and around the world."
Cardinal Paralin also reported that the Vatican is working on the organization of Pope Leo XIV's possible meeting with US Vice -President Ji Vice Jai Vens, who will come to Rome for the intronization of Pontiff on Sunday.
The predecessor of Leo XIV, Pope Francis, has already played an active role in a peaceful settlement, sending delegations to Kiev and Moscow, as well as facilitating the exchanges of prisoners and returning deported Ukrainian children.
