Pope Leo urges concessions for peace

Pope Leo said on Monday that negotiators seeking to end conflict in Europe must be willing to sacrifice some positions to achieve peace, as efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine continue to fail.

The first US pope, speaking to European leaders in Metz - home of Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union -said "war has returned, even to Europe: a new senseless slaughter, claiming countless civilian lives every day".

Speaking in French, he urged Europeans to recall the founding values of the EU, including the rule of law and the equality of all people without distinction of race, colour, class or profession. His speech received a standing ovation.