Pope Leo said last week the Vatican was "always ready" to bring enemies together and he would "make every effort" for peace to prevail. Reuters Giorgia Meloni has reacted warmly to US proposals for the Vatican to host peace talksIf direct engagement does continue, Ukraine seems open to the notion of the Vatican as host. Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X on Tuesday that he had talked to Giorgia Meloni, including about "possible platforms for talks with the Russians". On the other hand, the Vatican – especially any involvement of the new Pope – would introduce a different tone to proceedings. EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock President Trump held impromptu talks with Ukraine's leader at Pope Francis' funeral at St Peter's Basilica