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Pope Leo XIV Calls for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Ukraine

1:24 AM ETConfirmed

Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, urging cooperation between Ukraine and Russia to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate civilians from Oleshky, a city in the Kherson region facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

During the call, Zelenskyy briefed the Pope on recent ballistic attacks and the lack of advance warnings from international partners, which have strained relations with Washington.

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the Pope's intervention and confirmed that Ukraine is working to help residents and prepare solutions for their evacuation.

The Pope also discussed the situation in the Middle East and Gulf region, emphasizing the need for renewed efforts toward peace and the protection of civilians.

Cardinal Parolin, the Holy See’s foreign minister, told reporters that the Pope initiated the call to plead the cause of the besieged city of Oleshky.

Zelenskyy disclosed that international partners failed to provide advance warning to Ukraine regarding recent ballistic attacks on three separate occasions, highlighting the security challenges the country faces.

The Pope's call with Zelenskyy came less than a week after his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he requested a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky.

Zelenskyy expressed his hope for the Pope’s full recovery following his recent lung surgery and emphasized the urgency of ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those suffering from the conflict.

The Vatican press office stated that the conversation centered on the grave situation in Oleshky, which has been under Russian military occupation since 2022.

The Pope reaffirmed the commitment of the Holy See to promoting dialogue and peace, and expressed hope that cooperation between both parties will allow for the delivery of food and medical aid, and for the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population.

Background

What's confirmed

• During Thursday’s call with Putin, Leo XIV requested a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, a city in Ukraine’s Kherson region that has been facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
• Leo XIV agreed, and Zuppi conveyed the pope’s willingness to intervene on the humanitarian issue during his Sept.
• Russian sources, however, have noted that Putin was particularly interested in holding a second conversation with the pope following their first exchange in June 2025.
• “Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the commitment of the Holy See to promoting dialogue and peace,” the statement said.
• (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing hope that Ukraine and Russia will cooperate on humanitarian aid and evacuations for civilians in the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky, the Vatican said.
• “These are horrific photos, but behind them are shattered lives and the truth about this war,” he said, sharing photographs from the playground where the attack occurred, killing among others an 11-year-old girl.
• Pope Leo XIV and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held negotiations on October 16.

What's still developing

• “And even as we gratefully acknowledge mediation efforts aimed at ending the war, it is essential to distinguish between restraining an unjust aggressor and coercing the victim,” Major Archbishop Shevchuk wrote.
• Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also denied Zelenskyy’s claim that the US government ordered the disruptions, NPR reported.
• According to a Cluster 17 poll conducted on October 14 and 15, 65 percent of respondents expressed a “very good” or “fairly good” opinion of Leo XIV, making him the most positively regarded foreign political figure among those surveyed.
• Zelenskyy noted that efforts are underway to establish practical solutions to support the residents remaining in the area.
• The Pope appealed for an immediate pause in hostilities to facilitate the delivery of critical food supplies and medical relief, while enabling civilians to safely and voluntarily evacuate the front-line area along the Dnipro River.
• “We are working to help our people there. We are preparing a decision. His Holiness informed about contacts with the Russian side on this matter,” Zelenskyy reported.

Sources

• Ewtnnewslink
• National Catholic Registerlink
• OSV Newslink
• RBC-Ukrainelink
• The Catholic Thinglink
• The Dialoglink
• ZENIT - Englishlink
• Bnonewslink
• United24Medialink
• OSV Newslink
• WarpBeat — background on What is pulmonary adenocarcinoma? An oncologist explains and talks about Pope Leo XIV’s recovery link
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Urges Putin for Ceasefire in Ukraine link