ROME (Reuters) -European and U.S. leaders spoke on Monday and welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that Pope Leo XIV was interested in hosting Russia-Ukraine talks at the Vatican, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, although the Vatican did not confirm the pope had made such an offer.

The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Writing on social media, Trump said, "The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations." "

Meloni's office said European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, spoke to Trump after his call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

"Work is under way to immediately start negotiations between the parties that can lead to a ceasefire as soon as possible and build the conditions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," the Italian government statement said.

"In this regard, the Holy Father's willingness to host the talks at the Vatican was considered positive. Italy is ready to do its part to facilitate contacts and work for peace," the statement added.

Pope Leo, elected two weeks ago, is the first U.S. leader of the global Catholic Church. In a May 14 speech, he said the Vatican could act as a mediator in global conflicts, without specifically mentioning of Ukraine and Russia.

"The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face-to-face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace," he said.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini and Joshua McElwee; Editing by Chris Reese and Cynthia Osterman)