The possibility of Pope Leo XIV mediating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine at the Vatican is deemed unlikely due to Russian Orthodoxy's influence and Moscow's mistrust of the Catholic Church. While Pope Leo XIV expressed willingness to mediate, Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, criticized the idea. Historical tensions between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church complicate the situation, especially following Ukraine's legislative actions against the Moscow Patriarchate. Despite skepticism, some believe the Vatican could still play a role in mediation.