The Pope's push: "I hope for a successful outcome to the negotiations."

The Pope hopes that the ongoing negotiations to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will be successful. But above all, he appeals for the "common good of peoples" to always be at the center of the talks. He made this statement during the Angelus at Castel Gandolfo.

It was a busy day for Pope Leo, who this morning celebrated Mass in the small sanctuary of Santa Maria della Rotonda in Albano and, after the Angelus, had lunch with over a hundred people, including Caritas members and volunteers.

Peace remains at the heart of his concerns. "Let us pray that efforts to end wars and promote peace will be successful, so that the common good of peoples will always come first in negotiations," he said at the end of the Marian prayer. His thoughts turn to that network of meetings between Alaska and Washington, which can begin to build hope for an end to the war in Ukraine. In his homily at Mass, he also emphasized that "the fire of weapons, nor even that of words that incinerate others," is of no use. Rather, we must place ourselves at the service of others to "renew the world."

Meanwhile, the Holy See continues its work, that "soft diplomacy" the Pope himself spoke of a few days ago. It's the Vatican's style, having no weapons, territories, or interests to defend, yet able to exert significant pressure on countries. This ongoing diplomatic effort includes not only the humanitarian mission, as in Ukraine, but also the offer of its neutral territory for potential negotiations. The willingness to open the doors of this small state to host peace talks remains confirmed, but the parties must agree, and Moscow has repeatedly rejected this possibility.

The full commitment remains, however, to alleviate the suffering of the people as much as possible. Pope Francis initiated this mission by facilitating the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia and also the exchange of prisoner lists. Pope Leo has taken up the baton and continues the work, as Ukrainian Cardinal Mykola Bychok also emphasizes. "I am convinced that Leo XIV will do everything possible to stop the hostilities and help our country," he confidently told the bishops' newspaper.

"It is clear that the Pope, like our entire nation, desires peace. Since the beginning of the invasion, the Holy See has done, and continues to do, much to support the population. This includes constant prayers, frequent appeals, humanitarian aid, and many other actions that remain unknown to the public. Pope Leo is redoubling his efforts," assures Cardinal Bychok, who has had several meetings with Prevost recently.

The same commitment to peace is also evident in other areas of conflict, starting with the Middle East. While the Holy See has consistently called for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, over the past few months concern has grown for Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is dire. And now there's also the specter of evacuation, which could also affect the Gaza parish, with its five hundred residents who have been living in the rectory for nearly two years because they lost everything.