Russian President Vladimir Putin has held his first phone conversation with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, marking their initial direct contact.
According to international media reports, Putin expressed his gratitude to the Pope for his willingness to assist in finding a resolution to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
While further details of their discussion have not been disclosed, Pope Leo XIV has previously spoken publicly about the war in Ukraine. In one of his early addresses to Italian pilgrims, he stated that his thoughts were with “the Ukrainian people, affected by renewed serious attacks against civilians and infrastructure.”
This conversation follows a separate confirmed phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, during which they also reportedly discussed the conflict in Ukraine.
