Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States, said the Vatican will advocate for peace but is unlikely to act as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing neutrality while also warning about rising income inequality and challenges in global cooperation.
Pope Leo XIV said the Vatican is unlikely to serve as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, despite early speculation, emphasizing that advocating for peace and acting as a mediator are very different roles. “I’d make a distinction in terms of the voice of the Holy See in advocating for peace and a role as mediator, which I think is very different and is not as realistic as the first one,” the pope told Crux, a Catholic news outlet.
The first U.S.-born pontiff said the Vatican is striving to remain neutral and avoid taking sides. He also criticized rising income inequality, noting that CEOs today can earn hundreds of times more than average workers. “If that is the only thing that has value anymore, then we’re in big trouble,” he said.
Pope Leo additionally questioned the effectiveness of multinational institutions like the United Nations, saying they have struggled to convene nations to resolve global problems.
READ MORE AT THE NEW YORK TIMES