Ukraine war briefing: Pope opens Vatican door to peace talks, says Meloni
GuardianMAY 6
Meloni Says Pope Open to Hosting Russia-Ukraine Talks
Above: Pope Leo XIV meets with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Vatican City on May 18, 2025. Image copyright: Vatican Media/Contributor/Vatican Pool/Corbis News via Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
It makes sense that conservative leaders like Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump are pushing for Pope Leo XIV's involvement in these talks. Despite the online noise claiming that Leo and Trump are politically irreconcilable, the two share social and geopolitical beliefs, the most important being a desire for world peace. Traditional values put human life first, which is why Leo and his counterparts will end this war together.
Left narrative
While everyone hopes to see an end to all wars, no matter who ends them, this news should not be used by right-wing leaders to win political brownie points. There are many things we don't yet know about the Pope, but among those we do include his disdain for anti-human rights laws, like those implemented by the right against immigrants. Trump and his allies have no business comparing themselves to a man who truly cares about human dignity.