Pope Leo XIV Asks Putin by Phone to Agree to Ceasefire in Occupied Oleshky
In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire in Oleshky, in Ukraine's Kherson region, to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations. The Kremlin said the two sides agreed to cooperate on the issue.
Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, has spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, a city in Ukraine's southern Kherson region that has been under Russian occupation since 2022. Both the Kremlin and the Vatican confirmed the call. The pope voiced deep concern and urged a ceasefire so that humanitarian aid could be delivered and civilians could be evacuated safely and voluntarily.
The Kremlin's account
The Kremlin press service said Putin gave the pope detailed explanations of what it called the Kyiv government's responsibility for the situation in Oleshky. According to the Kremlin, Russia backed the Vatican's intention to help create conditions in which residents would be safe and essential supplies could reach the city. It stated that the two sides agreed to cooperate on this.
Conditions in the city
Oleshky, known in Russian as Alyoshki, has been occupied by Russia since 2022. This autumn, conditions there have grown dire and are close to a humanitarian catastrophe. Constant drone attacks have left residents without food, electricity or adequate medical care. People cannot leave the city safely and at times cannot bury relatives who have been killed.
The pope's health
The conversation took place while the pope is in hospital after being diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. He has had surgery and is recovering, but remains under medical supervision.
