President Donald Trump spoke to Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Monday and announced that the Vatican, under newly minted Pope Leo XIV, may hold the peace talks.

"Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia," Trump said. "I believe it went very well. Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War. The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of. The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent. If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later."

"Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic 'bloodbath' is over, and I agree," Trump's statement continued. "There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately. I have so informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, President Emmanuel Macron, of France, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of Germany, and President Alexander Stubb, of Finland, during a call with me, immediately after the call with President Putin. The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!"

Vice President JD Vance was in Rome for Pope Leo XIV's first mass and met with him as well. He also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy, who was in attendance as well. The Trump administration has been working to bring an end to the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, which began under the Biden administration with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Pope Leo XIV recently took over at the Vatican upon his election via a papal conclave after the recent death of Pope Francis. He is the first American pope. President Trump has promised to bring the war to an end and has said that Zelensky has been proving to be difficult to bring along toward peace.