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Pope Leo XIV urges Putin to agree to truce in besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky

Pope Leo XIV telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky. Speaking by phone from Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, where he is recovering from lung surgery, the pontiff expressed deep concern over the severe hardship faced by civilians. The Vatican proposal aims to enable the delivery of critical food and medical supplies to the occupied town located in the Kherson region. While the Kremlin stated that Putin blamed Kyiv for the broader crisis, Russian officials confirmed that the president agreed to cooperate with the Vatican initiative to assist local civilians.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky.
  • ✓ The pontiff made the appeal from Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic while recovering from lung surgery.
  • ✓ The Kremlin stated that Vladimir Putin backed the Vatican idea to help civilians in Oleshky, while blaming Kyiv for the crisis.
  • ✓ Pope Leo subsequently spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a humanitarian ceasefire.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 16 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Pope Leo followed up his direct appeal to Vladimir Putin by speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the humanitarian ceasefire in Kherson.

Live updates

  1. Pope Leo Urges Putin for Oleshky Truce

    Pope Leo XIV telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky. Speaking by phone from Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, where he is recovering from lung surgery, the pontiff expressed deep concern over the severe hardship faced by civilians. The Vatican proposal aims to enable the delivery of critical food and medical supplies to the occupied town located in the Kherson region. While the Kremlin stated that Putin blamed Kyiv for the broader crisis, Russian officials confirmed that the president agreed to cooperate with the Vatican initiative to assist local civilians.

    Why it matters

    Pope Leo placed the outreach from the hospital following a lung nodule procedure. The diplomatic intervention targets Oleshky, a Russian-held urban center enduring severe humanitarian distress. The Vatican has engaged both sides of the conflict, following up the Russian dialogue with a separate phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the Oleshky truce effort.

    What is confirmed

    • Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky.
    • The pontiff made the appeal from Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic while recovering from lung surgery.
    • The Kremlin stated that Vladimir Putin backed the Vatican idea to help civilians in Oleshky, while blaming Kyiv for the crisis.
    • Pope Leo subsequently spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a humanitarian ceasefire.

    What to watch next

    • Confirmation of a formal ceasefire agreement or delivery corridors for Oleshky
    • Further updates from the Holy See Press Office regarding talks with Ukrainian leadership
    Sources used for this update (17)
    1. CNN — Pope Leo to lead Sunday prayers as he recovers from lung surgery, Vatican says
    2. AP News — First images released of Pope Leo celebrating Mass at hospital after cancer surgery
    3. Vatican News — Pope urges humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky in call with Russian President
    4. The New York Times — Pope Asks Putin for a Cease-Fire for a Ukrainian City Under Siege
    5. The Washington Post — Pope speaks to Putin from hospital, voices concern over Ukraine
    6. Reuters — Putin agrees to cooperate with Pope Leo's plea for aid for Ukrainian town
    7. Euronews.com — Pope Leo XIV urges Putin to agree to truce in besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky
    8. Yahoo — Pope Leo makes direct appeal to Putin from hospital
    9. EWTN Vatican — Pope Leo speaks with Russian President Putin by phone
    10. Reuters — Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to help civilians in Oleshky, Kremlin says
    11. Fox News — Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine city
    12. www.kyivpost.com — Pope Leo XIV Speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin ...
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