Peace summit at the Vatican?

Back in February, I wrote that Ukraine negotiations should “tie-in also with the Holy See. This would be Europe ‘using its leverage’ from the perspective of President Trump. It would give a sense of moral legitimacy (with Moscow) that the OSCE [with the Minsk agreements] always lacked.”

Yesterday, President Trump posted:

And overnight, the President has further said in Q&A (video clip: https://x.com/EdwardMDruce/status/1924723984165183694 ):

“I think it would be great to have it [peace talks] at the Vatican. Maybe it would have some extra significance… I think it would be, maybe, helpful… Having it at the Vatican, in Rome – I think it would be a great idea.”

Several people dismissed the idea (“fantastical”) when I published it, incorporating into a piece on DODE (the Department of Diplomatic Enforcement).

From my research looking into the possibility in January:

The Holy See enjoys by its own choice the status of Permanent Observer at the United Nations, rather than of a full Member. This is due primarily to the desire of the Holy See to maintain absolute neutrality in specific political problems.

A good reminder now for diplomats heading to Rome:

“Pray as if everything depends on God; work as if everything depends on you.” - St. Ignatius of Loyola

“Peace through strength”