• Pope Leo XIV and U.S. Vice President JD Vance held meetings at the Vatican.
• The focus was on humanitarian law and efforts towards a ceasefire in Ukraine.
• Vance gifted the pope a Chicago Bears jersey and delivered a White House invitation.
• The Vatican has offered to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
• Cooperation between the Church and the U.S. government was a topic of discussion.

Pope Leo XIV met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican to discuss plans for engaging diplomacy related to the ongoing war in Ukraine, emphasizing humanitarian law and the need for negotiated solutions. This meeting comes as the U.S. increases its diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire in the conflict, with Vance highlighting the urgency of these discussions during his visit, according to Indiatimes and HuffPost.

The "cordial" discussions included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and reaffirmed strong bilateral relationships between the U.S. and the Vatican amid a backdrop of prior tensions over immigration issues, which had been contentious under Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis. This meeting marks a hopeful resetting of relations as both sides called for respecting international law in conflict zones, highlighting a mutual desire for peace, as noted by BBC and New York Times.

During the meeting, Vance presented the Pope with a Chicago Bears jersey, which marked a lighthearted moment amid serious discussions. Vance also extended an invitation from President Trump for the Pope to visit the White House. This gesture highlights an effort to bridge connections between the U.S. administration and the Holy See, as the Vatican seeks an active role in facilitating peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, reported CBS News and NPR.

Vance's busy schedule in Rome also included meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reinforcing the urgency of U.S. involvement as diplomatic negotiations continue. The Vatican's role as a potential neutral ground for peace talks may offer a path forward as both sides seek an avenue for dialogue, as highlighted by Anadolu Agency and HuffPost.