Jumping straight into the geopolitical fray, the words of the U.S.-born pontiff are meant to single out Vladimir Putin — a notable difference with Pope Francis. The timing may also be just right to help his fellow American,

Pope Leo XIV has offered to host a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine at the Vatican, while Cardinal Pietro Parolin called the failure of the two sides to reach a truce in Istanbul "tragic".

Pope Leo's inauguration ceremony will offer yet another opportunity for U.S. and Ukrainian leaders to negotiate peace.