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Pope criticizes US bid to ‘break apart’ US-Europe alliance, insists on Europe role in Ukraine peace
Manila Bulletin
|December 11, 2025
Pope Leo XIV insisted Tuesday that Europe must have a role in any Ukraine peace deal and criticized what he said was the Trump administration's effort to “break apart” the longstanding U.S.-European alliance.
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UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Pope Leo XIV wave to journalists during their meeting in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Leo spoke to reporters after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is on another tour to rally European support for Kyiv. The American pope said they discussed the need for a ceasefire and the Vatican's efforts to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russian authorities.
Leo was asked about the U.S. peace proposal and the seeming sidelining of European powers in the process. Speaking as he left his vacation home in Castel Gandolfo, Leo insisted that Europe’s role was crucial to any deal.
This story is from the December 11, 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
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