The Holy See Press Office released a statement on Friday afternoon, saying that Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
“During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population,” said the statement.
“Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace,” it concluded.
Pope Leo has been in Gemelli Hospital since Tuesday when he underwent an operation which removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
He previously spoke by phone with President Putin on June 4, 2025. The city of Oleshky lies along the frontline of the Russian-occupied Kherson region, on the banks of the Dnieper River.
Cardinal Parolin: Pope took initiative on behalf of besieged city
Afterwards, on the sidelines of a conference at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said, “It was the Holy Father who took the initiative to plead the case of this besieged city, where some 2,000 civilians need humanitarian routes through which they can leave.”
“The Pope called for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid, especially food, to reach the city and to enable those who wish to leave to be evacuated,” he said.
“I hope that, in response to the Holy Father’s request, President Putin will agree to do what the Pope has asked,” Cardinal Parolin added. “The fact that he accepted the call and spoke with the Pope may, I hope, be a sign that the Pope’s request will indeed be carried out.”