Pope Leo XIV has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. He wants aid to reach civilians who are running out of food in the occupied city of Oleshky.
The two men spoke by phone on October 16. The pope took the call from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he is recovering from lung cancer surgery on October 13.
What the Vatican Said
The Holy See Press Office said the pope voiced deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Oleshky. He asked for a pause in fighting so food and medical help could get in. He also asked for the safe and voluntary evacuation of civilians.
In addition, the pope restated the Vatican’s commitment to dialogue and peace. His appeal came on World Food Day. In his message for the day, he called regular access to enough safe food a basic human right that states must protect.
Kremlin Response
The Kremlin confirmed the call and described the mood as constructive and respectful. According to Reuters, Putin wished the pope a quick recovery. He also thanked him for his humanitarian efforts and his readiness to help resolve the conflict.
However, Putin also blamed Kyiv for the situation in Oleshky. The Kremlin said he gave the pope a detailed explanation of Ukraine’s “responsibility.”
Still, the Kremlin said both sides agreed to cooperate on the matter. It added that Putin backed the Vatican’s efforts to protect civilians and deliver aid.
Life Under Blockade in Oleshky
Oleshky lies in the partly occupied Kherson region. The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations (UCCRO) says more than 6,000 civilians live in the city and nearby communities. About 200 of them are children.
The council says these residents are trapped in a grey zone near the front line. It says Russian forces have imposed a humanitarian blockade. The last food delivery, it says, arrived at the end of May.
On September 19, the council urged the pope and other global religious leaders to act. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha then accused Russian officials of repeatedly blocking evacuations and aid. In a September 21 post on Facebook, he said residents were searching for scraps and picking grass to eat.
The crisis builds on earlier damage. UCCRO notes that Oleshky was among the areas flooded in 2023 after the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was destroyed.
Warnings From Monitors
The Institute for the Study of War, based in Washington, has repeatedly warned about the city. It calls the situation dire and says Russia created it. In its October 2 assessment, the group said no food had arrived since May 26. It added that drones, mines and Russian occupation forces stop people from leaving.
The institute says Russia has deliberately used deprivation as a weapon. It warned that thousands face disease, starvation and abuse.
The International Committee of the Red Cross says international humanitarian law requires rapid and unimpeded passage of relief for civilians in need.
Background to the War
Russia’s war on Ukraine began in 2014. It grew into a full-scale invasion in February 2022. The New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights have both classified Russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide.
