President Trump suggested Monday after a call with Russia's Vladimir Putin that ceasefire negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv should take place in the Vatican, hosted by Pope Leo XIV. Why it matters: This would be a high-profile and potentially risky first act of international diplomacy for the American-born pope.

Pope Leo XIV and U.S. Vice President JD Vance have met ahead of a flurry of U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to make progress on a ceasefire in Russia’s war Ukraine

During a meeting at the Vatican on Monday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance gifted Pope Leo XIV a personalized Chicago Bears jersey and extended an invitation to visit the United States ahead of the U.S.-led push for ceasefire negotiations in Russia’s war in Ukraine.