Pope Leo urges Europe to 'give up ground' for the sake of peace in Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV made a strong political statement during his tour of France, urging European leaders to make sacrifices for the sake of peace in Ukraine. Speaking in French, the pope emphasized the devastating impact of war in Europe since Russia's 2022 invasion, calling for patient dialogue, courageous negotiation, and willingness to give up certain positions for the greater good of peace.

The pope, standing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, warned against rearmament on the continent, noting that many European governments have provided significant financial support to Ukraine but fear further Russian attacks. The pope stressed that promoting peace is an active task and questioned whether efforts are being made to advance world peace or merely to stem the tide of war.

Despite four years of war, neither Russia nor Ukraine has shown willingness to concede land, and discussions appear to be at a standstill. The pope also addressed the topic of migration in Europe, urging the continent to embrace the historical significance of cultural encounters while respecting others. International and multilateralism were highlighted as essential for Europe, with a call to end lies and deceit in international relations.

The pope's speech was attended by several European leaders, including Prince Albert II of Monaco, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden, and Grand Duc Guillaume V and Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg, though Germany was not represented.