Pope Leo XIV Requests Oleshky Cease-Fire From Vladimir Putin

Pope Leo XIV contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin by telephone on Friday to request a cease-fire and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor for the city of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region. Speaking from Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he is recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous lung lobe, the Pope urged Russia to permit the delivery of medical supplies and food, as well as the voluntary evacuation of approximately 2,000 trapped civilians.

Pope Leo XIV sought to address a crisis that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized as a "genocide," stating that residents in the besieged city face starvation and the danger of landmines. The Kremlin responded that Putin supports the Vatican's efforts to ensure population safety and agreed to cooperate, although the Russian leader attributed the humanitarian crisis to the "Kyiv regime.

The Vatican reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace and dialogue as the Pope continues his recovery and resumes his official duties.