Pope Francis, 88, with Russian Orthodox leader Leonid Sevastianov, 46, and Sevastianov’s wife, Svetlana Kasyan, a Russian Orthodox opera singer, who visited with the Pope in the Domus Santa Marta on the afternoon of December 27, 2024, four weeks ago
Letter #7, 2025, Thu, Jan 23: Peace talks
Today an interesting piece by a Russian Orthodox layman — a man who once studied to become a Russian Orthodox priest, and whose father was the head of the Russian Old Believer community, a role he himself has now taken up — Leonid Sevastianov, 46, who has had a relationship of friendship with Pope Francis extending back for 11 years now.
Sevastianov and his wife first met the Pope in November 2013. In the 11 years since, sometimes with their two children, Natalya and Francis, they have had a number of meetings with Pope Francis. Their last visit was on December 27.
In the days after the meeting with Francis, which Sevastianov said lasted more than an hour, Sevastianov drafted a proposal that the Vatican play a “host role” in peace talks with regard to the war in Ukraine, by inviting leaders like the three pictured below (right to left): Donald Trump, 78, of the US, Vladimir Putin, 72, of Russia, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 46, of Ukraine, to meet together in the protected environment of the Vatican City State.
We publish that proposal by Sevastianov below.
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The role of Christian faith
Sevastianov’s view is that the role of faith and of religion ought to be present and real in confronting the great challenges of our time, particularly the issue of war between the great powers, which threatens to bring great misery to mankind.
In order to ensure that upcoming “peace talks” regarding Ukraine do not end up as a merely “transactional” process of great powers trading territory and influence as each seeks its own strategic advantage, with an eye to the possible eventual resumption of hostilities at some future time (for example, see this report), Sevastianov proposes that the eventual “peace talks” be held in a context that takes into consideration the highest values, in order, if possible, to mark the beginning of a true “golden age” of peace and prosperity not only for one country, but for our entire world.
And Sevastianov proposes that that context be Vatican City itself, with Pope Francis and his entire curia and diplomatic service acting as the hosts — but not the protagonists — of such talks. —RM
Proposal for Peace Talks: The Vatican as a Neutral Ground for Dialogue
By Leonid Sevastianov
Thursday, January 23, 2025
1. Pope Francis and the Peace Algorithm: A New Path to Global Unity
Today, the world faces unprecedented challenges, including the crisis within international institutions established in the wake of World War II.
Organizations like the United Nations have lost their efficacy in influencing global dynamics. The UN’s inability to reform itself and the absence of consensus-building mechanisms within the Security Council leave it struggling to resolve both political and humanitarian crises.
At a time when traditional international bodies seem unable to offer sustainable solutions, a new mediator figure is needed — one with international credibility and the unique ability to bridge divides across deeply opposed perspectives. Pope Francis embodies this potential.
As a figure who transcends religious and cultural boundaries, he offers an alternative approach known as the “peace algorithm,” which pursues peace not through military victories but by creating conditions in which all parties feel they have won.
2. The Peace Algorithm: Unity Rooted in Shared Values and Cultural Heritage
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Pope Francis has advocated for a “peace algorithm” based on finding solutions that bring together opposing sides and enable peaceful coexistence.
His vision seeks not to identify a “strongest” winner but rather to construct a shared space of mutual respect and stability.
For Pope Francis, true victory lies in cooperative projects and dialogue, aimed at facing the immense challenges of our time, such as climate change and space exploration.
3. Rome’s Historical and Cultural Role as a Unifier
Pope Francis draws inspiration from the legacy of ancient Rome — PaxRomana, a period of peaceful coexistence that once unified diverse cultures.
Europe, Russia, America, and Asia share Rome’s cultural heritage.
By revisiting this archetypal unity, the Pope suggests rethinking Rome’s role as a symbol of global reconciliation.
With the secularization that has separated politics from religion, the principle of “Cuius regio, eius religio” no longer applies.
Rome’s historical value as a symbol for the unity of nations remains intact, however, not through religious identity but through shared cultural and historical roots.
4. The Vatican as a Neutral Ground for Dialogue
Since its establishment as a modern entity in 1929, the Vatican has adhered strictly to neutrality in international relations.
This commitment is embodied by figures like Pope John Paul II, who condemned the Iraq War and attempted to mediate between Saddam Hussein and the United States, and Pope Benedict XVI, who criticized the war in Libya.
Pope Francis continues this mission by engaging with leaders around the globe, including Erdogan and Modi, while fostering respectful relationships with both China and Russia.
In a time of political polarization, the Vatican’s neutrality allows it to be perceived as a unique symbol of peace and a reliable mediator.
5. A Peace Plan for Ukraine: Steps Toward Reconciliation
The Vatican’s recent peace proposal for Ukraine includes several critical measures:
- The repatriation of children under international supervision, underscoring the humanitarian aspect of the conflict.
- A reciprocal exchange of prisoners of war, with commitments to keep these individuals out of combat.
- An amnesty for those convicted of criticizing authorities on either side, reinforcing the importance of freedom of expression.
- The lifting of sanctions against relatives of Russian oligarchs as a gesture of goodwill.
These measures aim to create an atmosphere of trust, laying a foundation for further progress toward peace.
6. A New Global Order: An Independent Platform for Dialogue
Pope Francis has proposed creating an independent, neutral platform for resolving international conflicts, positioning the Vatican as a hub for dialogue.
In a world where genuinely neutral states are increasingly rare, the Vatican remains a credible and neutral entity.
This unique status offers a chance to foster a new world order focused on sustainable peace and the prevention of revanchism.
7. Conclusion: A Global Vision for Unity and Justice
Pope Francis’s “peace algorithm” is a path toward fair coexistence, rooted in cultural values and historical respect.
In a world where the separation of religion and politics is often complete, the Vatican as a symbolic center of Rome could become a new unifying force.
This approach sees compromise as a key to stability, where each party feels victorious.
8. Strengthening Pope Francis’s Mandate for a Just Peace
To bring the conflict in Ukraine to an end and achieve a just peace, we must consider broadening Pope Francis’s mandate by recognizing him as an essential mediator between all sides of the conflict.
The Vatican, and Pope Francis himself, have no vested interest in prolonging the conflict.
They seek only peace and reconciliation.
Endowed with such a mandate, Pope Francis could propose an effective, just solution capable of halting suffering and restoring stability.
Strengthening his role is a critical step toward achieving a genuine and lasting peace, as his unique position of neutrality and independence could indeed be the decisive factor for securing stability in a fragile world.
[End, “Proposal for Peace Talks: The Vatican as a Neutral Ground for Dialogue,” by Leonid Sevastianov, Thursday, January 23, 2025]
***
Here is an account of the Pope’s recent conferral of a noble title on Leonid Sevastianov and his wife, Svetlana:
Pope conferred noble titles on members of Russian family
Pope elevated the family of the chairman of the All-Russian Union of Old Believers (WOU) Sevastyanov to the title of nobility
MOSCOW, December 28, 2024 – RIA Novosti. In honor of the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pope Francis elevated the chairman of the World Union of Old Believers (WOU) Leonid Sevastyanov and his wife, opera singer Svetlana Kasyan, to the title of nobility, Sevastyanov told RIA Novosti on Saturday.
“Pope Francis elevated me and my wife to the rank of nobility. Svetlana and I were elevated to the rank of nobility yesterday, December 27, by Pope Francis. This is hereditary nobility. That is, my children and their children also become nobles,” he told RIA Novosti.
The deed of gift from Pope Francis, provided by Sevastyanov to RIA Novosti, says that this is timed to coincide with the Jubilee Year, which the Roman Catholic Church has proclaimed to be 2025.
The Pope proclaims the Jubilee Year every 25 years. This year, 2025, will be the 27th regular jubilee year since they were established by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300.
Initially, it was planned to celebrate them every 100 years, but then it was decided to hold them every 50 years, and then every 25 years.
At the same time, there are also “extraordinary” jubilee years: for example, in 2015, when Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Mercy.
[End, RIA Novosti article]
The recent decree by which Pope Francis granted a title of nobility to Leonid Sevastianov and to his wife, opera singer Svetlana Kasyan
***
A 2013 Quote from Pope Francis
On Sunday, July 28, 2013, during a press conference when he was returning from a week at World Youth Day in Rio di Janiero, Brazil, Pope Francis made the following remarks about the eastern liturgy, which is this Russian Orthodox liturgy (link).
(Russian journalist) Alexey Bukalov:
Good evening, Holy Father. Holy Father, returning to ecumenism: today, the Orthodox are celebrating 1,025 years of Christianity [Note: since the year 988 A.D., the year of the conversion to Christianity of Prince Vladimir and his people in Kiev, 1.025 years before the year 2013, when this interview occurred] and there are great festivities in many capital cities. If you would comment on this, I would be grateful. Thank you.
Pope Francis:
In the Orthodox Churches, they have retained that pristine liturgy, which is so beautiful.
We have lost some of the sense of adoration.
The Orthodox preserved it; they praise God, they adore God, they sing, time does not matter.
God is at the centre, and I would like to say, as you ask me this question, that this is a richness.
Once, speaking of the Western Church, of Western Europe, especially the older Church, they said this phrase to me: Lux ex oriente, ex occidente luxus. [“Light from the east, from the west, luxury (consumerism).”]
Consumerism, comfort, they have done such harm.
Instead, you retain this beauty of God in the centre, the reference point.
When reading Dostoevsky – I believe that for all of us he is an author that we must read and reread due to his wisdom – one senses what the Russian soul is, what the eastern soul is.
It is something that does us much good.
We need this renewal, this fresh air from the East, this light from the East.
John Paul II wrote about this in his Letter [Ut Unum Sint, May 25, 1995].
But many times the luxus of the West makes us lose this horizon.
I don’t know, but these are the thoughts that come to me.
Thank you.
[End, reflections of Pope Francis on the Orthodox liturgy from July 28, 2013]
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