Pope Leo XIV calls on Russia and Ukraine to resume peace talks
Pope Leo XIV urged the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to sit down at a negotiating table to end the war during his post-France press briefing.
At a press conference concluding his French trip, Pope Leo XIV called on Russian and Ukrainian authorities to engage in direct negotiations to halt the conflict. He rebuked leaders who talk about nuclear arms and ever more devastating wars, emphasizing that the Church, with its 1.4 billion followers, must champion peace and human dignity. The pope urged all governments to find solutions without continuing senseless fighting and to prioritize health and education over armaments.
He also addressed concerns about artificial intelligence, saying experts’ warnings should be taken seriously. Referring to recent remarks by Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang, who opposes regulation, the pope warned against complacency on AI safety.
Why it matters
The pope’s appeal adds moral pressure on both sides to pursue diplomatic solutions and highlights global concerns about AI safety.
How this story developed
- Sep 15 Pope Leon XIV's French tour set for mostly sunny weather across three cities
- Sep 16 Seven victims of sexual abuse by clergy will meet the Pope in Lourdes, reaffirming their demands and refusing further media comments before the audience.
- Sep 25 Pope Leo XIV arrived in Paris and began his four‑day visit with a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
- Sep 25 The Pope arrived at the Stade de France where a large gathering of young people greeted him, chanting and cheering as his papamobile circulated the field.
- Sep 26 Pope Leo XIV held an open‑air mass at Place de la Concorde attended by several French political figures, while President Emmanuel Macron was not present.
- Sep 26 A vespers service at Notre‑Dame attended by thousands of clergy was held as part of the papal itinerary.
- Sep 26 Hundreds of thousands gathered for the Mass, with numerous French political figures in attendance.
- Sep 27 The INIRR agency is closing to new submissions as a group of survivors prepares for a papal audience.
- Sep 27 Security deployment of 15,000 police and 17,000 volunteers and a €27 million budget were detailed for the mass.
- Sep 27 Pope Leo XIV urged French bishops to stay vigilant against clerical sexual abuse during a private audience in Lourdes.
- Sep 28 President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe in Metz to reclaim the bravery of its founders and resist a turn toward nationalism, echoing a parallel appeal from Pope Léon XIV.
- Sep 28 Pope Leo added calls for migrant integration and condemned rising defence spending.
- Sep 29 Pope Leo XIV concluded his French visit with a Mass in Metz attended by President Emmanuel Macron.
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