CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Dec 10, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Pope Leo XIV warned Tuesday that seeking peace in Ukraine without Europe was "unrealistic" and said US Donald Trump's plan risked a "huge change" in the transatlantic alliance.

The US pope also warned against comments about Europe in interviews that were "trying to break apart what I think needs to be a very important alliance today and in the future".

Leo, who earlier Tuesday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his country residence in Castel Gandolfo, told journalists he had not read the latest US proposal on ending the Russian war in its entirety.

"Unfortunately, some of the parts that I have seen make a huge change in what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States."

"The remarks that are made about Europe also in interviews recently, I think, are trying to break apart what I think needs to be a very important alliance today and in the future," he said.

Trump deepened his rift with Europe in an interview with Politico published Tuesday, calling the continent "weak" and decaying" over immigration and Ukraine.

Washington and its European allies are increasingly at odds over Trump's plan to end the war, which many European capitals fear will force Kyiv to hand over territory to Moscow.

"Seeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the discussions, let's say, is unrealistic," Leo said.

"The war is in Europe, and I think that Europe must be part of the guarantees we are seeking for security today and in the future. Unfortunately, not everyone understands this," he added.

Asked if he would accept Zelensky's invitation to visit Ukraine, Leo said "I hope so", but cautioned it was not possible to say when such a trip would be possible.