Cardinal Paul Richard Gallagher, who leads the Vatican's diplomatic efforts, delivered a direct message to Russia after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow this Tuesday.
"Let's be clear, the war must end. The longer the conflict persists, the more challenging it will be to find an appropriate resolution," Gallagher conveyed to the Russian minister.
This meeting in Moscow marks the first in-person dialogue between a senior Vatican official and Russian authorities since 2021, preceding the Ukraine invasion. While Gallagher had previously communicated with Lavrov by phone in 2025, this face-to-face encounter signifies a notable escalation in the Vatican's diplomatic endeavors.
During a joint press conference covered by EFE, Gallagher emphasized that he relayed Pope Leo XIV's plea to Lavrov to "end hostilities and initiate genuine negotiations with international community support."
"The Vatican's stance is unequivocal: the conflict cannot be resolved through military means. It's crucial to establish conditions for a political and diplomatic process," stated the Cardinal, urging both sides to "demonstrate openness and goodwill" to make dialogue a reality as soon as possible.
Gallagher also urged both Russia and Ukraine to adhere to international and humanitarian law, particularly concerning civilians, infrastructure, and the treatment of wounded and prisoners of war.
Lavrov described the conversation as "very useful" and expressed gratitude for the Vatican's "balanced stance" on the conflict. He also announced Russia's willingness to resume political contacts with the Vatican at the deputy foreign minister level.
Gallagher's visit to the Russian capital, from August 24 to 28, includes a meeting with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk of the Moscow Patriarchate, as well as a scheduled discussion with Yuri Ushakov, President Putin's foreign policy advisor, this Wednesday.
This mission to Moscow follows Gallagher's earlier July visit to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian leaders who extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit the country. The pontiff has recently condemned civilian casualties on both sides.
Since taking office in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV has notably increased the Vatican's role as a mediator. The pope has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky three times—in May, July, and December 2025—and has offered the Vatican as a venue for negotiations between the parties.
The Vatican has also served as a venue for direct contact between Washington and Kyiv. On April 26, 2025, Donald Trump and Zelensky had a private meeting at St. Peter's Basilica before Pope Francis's funeral, discussing efforts to end the war. This meeting was particularly significant following their tense encounter at the White House in February of that year.
The Vatican also hosted U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May 2025. Rubio returned in May 2026 to coordinate diplomatic efforts with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Gallagher.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration has engaged in multiple meetings with Zelensky throughout 2025 and 2026, including a White House meeting in July of this year, without reaching a definitive peace agreement. A brief ceasefire occurred from May 9 to 11, 2026, but the conflict persisted.
Russia's announcement to resume political contact with the Vatican at the deputy foreign minister level opens a diplomatic avenue that had not existed since before the war, though the path toward negotiated peace remains uncertain more than four years after the invasion began.
Key Questions About Vatican's Diplomacy and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
What message did the Vatican's Cardinal Gallagher convey to Russia?
Cardinal Gallagher delivered a direct message advocating for the end of the war, emphasizing that prolonging the conflict would make reaching a suitable resolution more difficult.
How has the Vatican's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict evolved?
Since Pope Leo XIV took office in 2025, the Vatican has intensified its mediation efforts, hosting meetings and offering its grounds for negotiations between conflicting parties.
What was the outcome of the meeting between Gallagher and Lavrov?
The meeting was described as "very useful" by Lavrov, who expressed appreciation for the Vatican's balanced stance and announced Russia's readiness to resume political contacts.