Pope Leo XIV asks Putin for truce to enable aid deliveries to Oleshky

Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on 16 October and asked him to arrange for a truce so that aid can be delivered to the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast.

Source: Vatican News; Russian propaganda news outlet TASS

Details: The Holy See Press Office reported that Leo XIV, speaking from the hospital where he recently underwent surgery, held a phone call with the Russian leader during which he expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky.

The Pope asked Putin for a truce to enable the delivery of food and medical supplies and the voluntary evacuation of the civilian population.

Quote: "During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in Kherson Oblast and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population."

Details: Meanwhile, Russian Kremlin-aligned media outlets are reporting that during the conversation, Putin blamed Ukraine for the humanitarian catastrophe.

They also claim that Putin "supported the Vatican's intention to contribute to creating conditions for the safety of the city's population and organising vital supplies".

Background:

• Putin and Leo XIV have spoken before, on 4 June 2025. The conversation focused on the war in Ukraine, and the Pope urged Russia to make a gesture that would help bring about peace.
• On 11 October 2026, during the traditional Sunday prayer in St Peter's Square, Pope Leo announced that he would be going into hospital for planned surgery. He explained that doctors had detected a small nodular formation at an early stage and recommended its surgical removal.
• On 13 October, the pontiff was taken to Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital, where a surgical team performed an operation to remove the tumour. Doctors emphasised that the patient was in good health prior to the surgery and showed no symptoms of lung infections.
• On 15 October, it was reported that following surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Pope had already begun walking independently in his room and was eating normally, with his recovery progressing as expected.

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