U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that the Vatican could serve as a venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, embracing the Holy See’s longstanding offer to help end the conflict. Rubio made the remarks during a visit to Rome ahead of talks with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican’s lead envoy on Ukraine.

Rubio emphasized that while the Vatican may not act as a formal broker, it represents a neutral and comfortable location for both sides to meet. He expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s constructive and positive role in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The Vatican, renowned for its diplomatic neutrality, has repeatedly offered to facilitate negotiations but was largely sidelined once the war began in February 2022. Pope Francis, who sometimes faced criticism from both sides, had assigned Cardinal Zuppi the task of exploring peaceful resolutions, though the mandate mainly focused on humanitarian issues such as the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia and prisoner exchanges.

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, renewed the Holy See’s call for peace during his first Sunday blessing. He committed to making “every effort” to help end the war, urging all parties to seek “an authentic, just and lasting peace.” Leo, who previously condemned Russia’s invasion as “imperialist,” pleaded directly for negotiations.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, reaffirmed the Holy See’s offer to host direct talks after the recent failed ceasefire negotiations in Istanbul. Parolin described the failure to reach a ceasefire as “tragic” and stated that the Vatican’s offer includes providing a discreet venue for face-to-face meetings between the conflicting parties.

Historically, the Vatican has played a key role in delicate diplomatic initiatives. Notably, it facilitated the U.S.-Cuba talks in 2014, which led to the resumption of diplomatic relations. It also hosted peace efforts between rival leaders of South Sudan in 2019, famously marked by Pope Francis kneeling to urge peace.

During the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, Pope John XXIII’s appeals for peace helped de-escalate tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, preventing nuclear war. John XXIII’s public speeches and private letters to leaders such as President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev are widely credited with influencing the peaceful resolution.

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