Pope Leo XIV Asks Putin for a Cease-Fire in Besieged Ukrainian City of Oleshky
Pope Leo XIV spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and asked for a cease-fire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky. Mines and drones have trapped about 2,000 people there, who face the risk of starvation.
Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church, has spoken with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and asked him to halt the fighting in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The New York Times reported the conversation on Oct. 16. Mines and drones have trapped roughly 2,000 people in the city, and they are at risk of starvation.
What the pope asked for
According to the newspaper, the pope appealed to Putin directly on behalf of Oleshky's residents. The request is for a cease-fire in a city where people cannot safely leave and face the threat of hunger.
The pope's health
The pope made the call while recovering from lung cancer surgery.
What is not known
The available information does not say whether Putin agreed to the request, how the conversation went, or whether a cease-fire has been reached. It is therefore unclear whether the trapped residents will soon be able to receive aid or leave the city.
