United States President Donald Trump wrote a letter to Pope Leo XIV inviting him to the White House, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said, specifying that the letter was delivered to the pontiff by Vice President JD Vance earlier Monday. (ANSA). (ANSA)

The US Pontiff, 69, warmly took hold of Vance's hand as he received a series of world leaders at St Peter's Square.

The Vatican has offered to host any peace talks while continuing humanitarian efforts to facilitate prisoner swaps and reunite Ukrainian children taken by Russia.