Speaking by telephone to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pope Leo
Vatican News
The Holy See Press Office issued a statement Friday afternoon indicating that Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
“During the meeting, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the serious humanitarian situation in the town of Oleshky, Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, as well as the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population,” the statement said.
“Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue and peace,” he concludes.
Pope Leo has been at Gemelli Hospital since Tuesday where he underwent an operation that removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
He previously spoke on the phone with President Putin on June 4, 2025. The town of Oleshky is located along the front line of the Russian-occupied Kherson region, on the banks of the Dnieper River.
Cardinal Parolin: the pope took the initiative in favor of the besieged city
Subsequently, on the sidelines of a conference at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin declared: “It is the Holy Father who took the initiative to plead the cause of this besieged city, from where some 2,000 civilians need humanitarian routes to be able to escape.”
“The pope called for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid, including food, to arrive in the city and to allow 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,” added Cardinal Parolin. “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.”
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