Pope Leo urges concessions to end war in Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV, during his final day of a French visit, called for concessions to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking in Metz, the pontiff lamented the return of war to Europe and urged all parties to engage in patient dialogue, exhibit courage in negotiations, and be willing to compromise for the greater good of peace. The pope did not specify the exact concessions he believed Ukraine or Russia might need to make.

Russia has been persistently bombing Ukraine and advancing in the Donetsk region, though it has yet to subjugate Kyiv after more than four and a half years of continuous war. Pope Leo has been actively involved in recent months, advocating for an end to hostilities in Ukraine. In August, he dispatched Archbishop Paul Gallagher to Moscow to meet with officials, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Another Vatican envoy is scheduled to visit Russia this week, underscoring the pope's more proactive approach to mediating the conflict. Despite Europe's limited involvement in diplomacy with Russia, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently met with Lavrov in New York. Pope Leo has consistently called for an end to Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and expressed hope that negotiations would lead to a diplomatic solution.

In his speech on Europe, he praised Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union and a practicing Catholic, and urged migrants to be welcomed as if they were part of their own families, at a time when anti-immigration parties are gaining traction across Europe, including in France where Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally is leading in the polls.

The pontiff emphasized the historical significance of the unprecedented encounter between peoples and cultures, calling for a rediscovery of roots in new and creative ways while listening carefully to others.