Sun May 18 14:30:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: US Secretary of State Rubio Discusses Vatican Role in Ukraine Peace Efforts**
**ROME (AP)** – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Vatican officials on Saturday to discuss the Holy See’s potential role in facilitating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Following meetings with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican’s point man on Ukraine, Rubio expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s ongoing efforts, specifically citing prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children taken from their homes.
Rubio indicated that the Vatican could be a comfortable venue for both sides, building on Pope Leo XIV’s recent vow to personally work toward peace. The Vatican has a tradition of diplomatic neutrality and has long offered its services to help facilitate talks. Cardinal Parolin reiterated the Vatican’s offer to serve as a venue for direct talks, lamenting the recent failure of negotiations in Istanbul.
Rubio emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with the Vatican under the new leadership of Pope Leo XIV, who has called for an “authentic, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. The Vatican has a history of successful diplomatic initiatives, including facilitating talks between the United States and Cuba in 2014.
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