Pope Leo calls President Putin, appeals for ceasefire

President Putin in 2024 Wiki Image

Source: Vatican Media

The Holy See Press Office released a statement this afternoon, (Friday 16 October), saying that Pope Leo XIV had spoken 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. Oleshky lies along the frontline of the Russian-occupied Kherson region, on the banks of the Dnieper River. The Pope appealed for a ceasefire there, to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population.

Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.

He last spoke by phone with President Putin on June 4, 2025, soon after he was elected Pope.

Pope Leo is in hospital recovering from an operation to remove a nodule from his lung on Tuesday, 13 October. All his public engagements have been cancelled until next Tuesday 20 October, but he is reported to be making a good recovery, walking, eating, and having physiotherapy.