Majority of Ukrainians show faith in Pope as potential mediator in negotiations with Russia, according to a recent survey
Ukrainians' Faith in Pope Leo XIV as Mediator Stands Strong
In a recent survey, 54% of Ukrainians have expressed trust in Pope Leo XIV as a potential mediator in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Additionally, over 70% of citizens support holding peace talks in the Vatican, indicative of a generally positive stance towards the Holy See's role in mediating the conflict.
The data, gathered by the SOCIS Centre in June 2025, reveals that a considerable 11.1% of Ukrainians hold full confidence in Pope Leo XIV, whereas 42.9% trust him more than they distrust him. On the flip side, 14% of respondents would rather distrust the pontiff and 8.5% hold no trust. Interestingly, 23.6% of people chose not to answer this question.
When questioned about their awareness of the Vatican’s work during the full-scale war, 56.1% of respondents claimed ignorance, whereas 39.9% were familiar with the Vatican’s efforts.
The majority (42.8%) of Ukrainians believe that Pope Francis maintained a neutral position regarding the war, while 18% thought he supported Ukraine, and an almost identical number (18.4%) felt he backed Russia.
Intriguingly, 36.4% of Ukrainians believe that the Vatican's stance on Ukraine will remain unchanged under Pope Leo XIV, with nearly the same number expecting improvements in the position. A meager 3.6% anticipate a worsening.
Positive sentiments towards a potential visit by Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine prevail, with 78.6% of respondents expressing a favorable attitude, while 7.2% hold a negative view, and 14.2% are undecided.
These findings echo the Pope's proactive diplomatic steps, such as his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin—the first contact of its kind since the Russian invasion began. The Pope's public stance is moderately more decisive than his predecessor's, helping to allay Ukrainian concerns about support for their cause.
In conclusion, Ukrainians show a cautiously optimistic approach to Pope Leo XIV's potential role as mediator, generally supporting the Vatican's peace efforts, and expressing enthusiasm for the Pope’s visit to Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian government is considering the potential impact of Pope Leo XIV's visit on the country's economy, given the general news about the positive respondents' attitudes towards his mediator role.
- Amidst war-and-conflicts, the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war has shown an unexpected intersection with politics, with 78.6% of Ukrainians expressing a favorable attitude towards Pope Leo XIV's potential visit to their country.
- The economy might be influenced by the ongoing peace talks, as over 70% of Ukrainian citizens support holding them in the Vatican, a region known for its significant role in global politics and general news.
