Pope Leo XIV requests a truce from Putin to deliver aid to Oleshky

Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on 16 October and asked him to organise a truce to deliver aid to temporarily occupied 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, expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky.

He requested a truce for the purpose of delivering food and medical supplies, as well as conducting 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 media report that Putin shifted responsibility for the humanitarian catastrophe onto Ukraine during the conversation.

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

Background:

• On 4 June 2025, a conversation between Putin and Leo XIV had already taken place. At that time, conversation focused specifically on the situation in Ukraine and the topic of war. The Pope urged Russia to make a gesture that would help reach peace.
• On 11 October 2026, during the traditional Sunday prayer in St Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV personally announced to believers his planned hospitalisation. 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. Medical personnel emphasised that prior to the surgery, the patient was in good physical condition and showed no symptoms of lung infections.
• On 15 October, it became known that following surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Pope had already begun walking independently in his room and returned to his normal diet, with his recovery proceeding according to forecasts.

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