Pope Leo urges concessions to end war in Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV encouraged compromise and urged warring parties to make concessions to secure peace in Ukraine during a closely watched speech about Europe in France.

“Sadly, war has returned, even to Europe,” the pope said in the eastern city of Metz. “We need to commit ourselves to patient dialogue, to show courage in negotiation and to be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace.”

Leo also reiterated his opposition to rising European military spending, which grew last year by the highest amount since the end of the Cold War amid pressure from US President Donald ​Trump and Russian assertiveness.
"We must also guard against the illusion that rearmament is the answer," he said.
"Today we must ask whether we are truly making creative ​efforts to advance world peace, or whether we are simply seeking to 'stem the tide of war' and better prepare ourselves for wars that we assume are still to come."