Pope Leo met with Metropolitan Anthony and other senior clerics from the Russian Orthodox Church at the Vatican to discuss the war in Ukraine and broader Orthodox-Catholic relations. The meeting addressed ongoing global conflicts, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East, as both churches seek to navigate strained ties following Russia's invasion. Pope Leo has consistently called for peace and recently offered the Vatican as a potential venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, though Russian officials have dismissed the idea. During the meeting, congratulations from Patriarch Kirill were conveyed to Pope Leo, who emphasized the importance of developing relations with the Russian Orthodox Church.