Pope Leo XIV has held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Oleshky, a city situated along the frontline in the Russian-occupied Kherson region. Speaking from Rome, the Pope called for an immediate ceasefire to enable the safe delivery of essential food and medical assistance to the region, as well as to ensure the safe, voluntary evacuation of trapped civilians. The Holy See Press Office confirmed the exchange on Friday afternoon, noting that the Pope reaffirmed the Vatican’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and peace between the conflicting nations.
The diplomatic initiative comes at a critical personal time for the Pope, who has been recovering at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Tuesday following surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Despite his health challenges, the Holy Father chose to directly engage with the Russian leader in what marks their second phone conversation, following a previous call in June 2025.
Elaborating on the Pope’s outreach, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin confirmed that Pope Leo XIV took the personal initiative to advocate for Oleshky, where an estimated 2,000 civilians remain stranded on the banks of the Dnieper River. Speaking at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Cardinal Parolin expressed hope that President Putin’s willingness to engage in the call indicates a receptiveness to opening humanitarian corridors and granting the requested respite.