Sunday, July 5, 2026

Ukraine War: Macron meets pope, talks prospects for peace

Mr Macron said he believed there was a chance for peace in Ukraine, even as Russia warned the conflict could escalate.

• October 24, 2022
Emmanuel Macron and Pope Francis

French President Emmanuel Macron and Pope Francis on Monday held nearly an hour of private talks mainly to discuss the crisis in Ukraine and prospects for peace.

Mr Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, arrived at the Vatican and was greeted by an honour guard of Swiss Guards in the San Damaso courtyard before taking an elevator to the official papal study in the Apostolic Palace.

The Vatican said their private talks lasted 55 minutes, with both sides expected to issue statements later.

Mr Macron is in Italy to attend an international conference organised by Italy’s Sant’Egidio Community, a worldwide peace and charity group.

He and the pope will close the conference at a special ceremony at the Colosseum in Rome on Tuesday.

Opening the conference on Rome’s outskirts on Sunday, Mr Macron said he believed there was a chance for peace in Ukraine, even as Russia warned the conflict could escalate. 

(Reuters/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Lawyers

NationWide

Lawyers raise concerns over FG’s plan to scrap fines for drug offences

Their reactions followed plans by the federal government to remove the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers.

Seplat

Economy

Seplat ends routine gas flaring, expands investment in LPG

Mr Ezugworie said the company achieved the feat by the end of 2025, describing it as a remarkable accomplishment both in Nigeria and globally.

LAGOS IKEJA PASSPORT OFFICE

NationWide

Nigeria Immigration Service graduates 62 senior officers, reaffirms commitment to leadership development

She urged the officers to uphold professionalism, integrity and excellence in the discharge of their duties.

States

Police foil bandit attack in Sokoto, recover firearm

Police operatives killed a suspected bandit after foiling an attack on Daraye village in Wamako Local Government Area.

NYSC corps members

NationWide

NYSC reforms will curb unemployment, boost productivity: APC Chieftain

According to him, the initiative will deepen human capital development by equipping corps members with marketable skills that can boost productivity.