Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 16 and called for a ceasefire to permit the delivery of food to the besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky, as well as the evacuation of civilians.
During the conversation—the first with President Putin since June 2025—“the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population,” according to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office. “Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.”
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, said that “It was the Holy Father who took the initiative to plead the case of this besieged city, where some 2,000 civilians need humanitarian routes through which they can leave.”
“I hope that, in response to the Holy Father’s request, President Putin will agree to do what the Pope has asked,” Cardinal Parolin added. “The fact that he accepted the call and spoke with the Pope may, I hope, be a sign that the Pope’s request will indeed be carried out.”