Trump attempts to weaken US–Europe alliance, says Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo commented on Donald Trump’s recent remarks, in which the US president claimed that Europe is in decline and led by weak politicians. According to the pontiff, these statements reflect an effort to undermine the longstanding partnership between Europe and the United States.

"I think unfortunately some parts of that I have seen make a huge change in what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States," he noted.

When asked whether he considers the US peace proposal for Ukraine to be fair, the Pope declined to give an assessment. He said the initiative was drafted by President Trump and his advisers and that the president has the authority to present such a plan, though he believes Americans themselves will be divided in their views of its provisions.

Meeting between Pope Leo and Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Pope Leo called for a just peace in Ukraine following his 9 December meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussion also touched on the issue of prisoners of war and the urgent need to ensure that Ukrainian children are returned to their families.

Zelenskyy invited the Pope to visit Ukraine, emphasizing that such a visit would send a "strong signal of support" for Ukrainians.

The Ukrainian president arrived in Rome on 9 December for an official visit. One of the key engagements was a closed-door 30-minute audience with the Pope at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo. After the meeting, the two leaders briefly greeted journalists from the balcony but did not deliver statements to the press.