Pope Leo XIV appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to make "a gesture that would favor peace" during a telephone conversation focusing on the war in Ukraine on Wednesday, the Vatican said.
The American pontiff emphasized "the importance of dialogue to create positive contacts between the parties and seek solutions to the conflict," said a Vatican statement.
Leo also "underlined how shared Christian values can be a light that helps to seek peace, defend life, and pursue genuine religious freedom," it said.
