Pope Leo prays for peace in Europe amid Trump-Putin summit in Alaska

Pope Leo XIV on Friday morning prayed for peace between Russia and Ukraine, ahead of President Donald Trump's highly anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.

The meeting between the two world leaders is already underway and Trump has stated that he hopes to see a ceasefire come from the summit, but that he would not directly accept one on Ukraine's behalf. 

Leo, the first American pope, previously urged Israel and Iran to seek a peaceful resolution to their conflict through open dialogue during its brief spat in June. 

"Today we wish to entrust our prayer for peace to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, assumed into heaven," the pope wrote on X. "As a Mother, she suffers for the evils that afflict her children, especially the little ones and the weak.

"Even today, sadly, we feel powerless before the spread of violence in the world — a violence increasingly deaf and insensitive to any stirring of humanity," he continued. "Yet we must not cease to hope: God is greater than the sin of human beings.  We must not resign ourselves to the prevalence of the logic of conflict and of arms. 

"With Mary, we believe that the Lord continues to come to the aid of his children, remembering his mercy. Only in this mercy can we return to the way of peace," he concluded.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this week that the Vatican helped secure the return of a small number of Ukrainian children who had been taken by Russia.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.