Pope Leo XIV speaks with Putin about Oleshky, calls for truce to evacuate civilians

Pope Leo XIV engaged in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin and the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Oleshky, located in the Kherson region of Ukraine, and urged for a ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the safe, voluntary evacuation of civilians.

In response, Putin provided comprehensive explanations to Pope Leo XIV regarding the responsibility of the Kyiv regime for the current humanitarian crisis in Oleshky. Both parties agreed to cooperate on this matter, the Kremlin press service announced. Pope Leo XIV is currently in the hospital, having been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and undergoing surgery.

He remains under medical supervision. Oleshky, also known as Alyoshki in Russian, has been under Russian occupation since 2022. By the fall of 2026, conditions in the city had deteriorated to a severe level, with residents facing a humanitarian catastrophe due to constant drone attacks that left them without food, electricity, or adequate medical care. They were unable to leave the city safely and were unable to bury loved ones who had been killed.