Pope Leo XIV discussed the world’s conflicts and the rise of populism during a meeting with European bishops, Mariano Crociata, the President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, told a news conference on Friday.

“Two issues were primarily at the centre of the meeting,” Crociata said.

“They concern the particular situation at this time, with the new American administration and the difficult role that the EU has to play within the global framework, and this is a concern.

“Then there was the big issue of public opinion and the presence of parties that go in a populist direction, opposing the European Union itself, and the related issues of war and defence”.

Possible Vatican mediation to end the war in Ukraine was also discussed.

“We did not go into the details of the concrete proposals, but we focused on the importance of working for a peace that is a just peace, this balance between peace and justice seems to be a very important thing in his thought,” Crociata said.