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Pope Leo XIV Urges Russia to Allow Aid in Oleshky
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to establish a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine, to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
Pope Leo XIV, in a series of phone calls and public statements, has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to establish a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine, to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations, according to reports from multiple international outlets including CoastTV (USA), Eagle-Tribune (USA), and Ottumwa Courier (USA).
On Monday, Oct. 20, 2026, Pope Leo XIV reiterated his earlier appeal to Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by OSV News (USA) and Thedialog (USA). The Vatican press office stated that the conversation centered on the “grave situation” in Oleshky, which has been under Russian military occupation since 2022.
According to the Kyivpost (Ukraine), Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need for humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation in Oleshky during his call with Putin. The Kyivpost noted that food supplies were last delivered to the area at the end of May, indicating a severe humanitarian crisis.
The Vatican press office, in a statement released on Friday, Oct. 20, 2026, confirmed that Pope Leo XIV had spoken with Putin about the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, as reported by Vaticannews (Holy See (Vatican City State)). The statement said that the Holy Father recalled the grave situation in the city and made reference to his request for a humanitarian ceasefire.
RTE.ie (Ireland) reported that Pope Leo XIV, while recovering from lung cancer surgery, spoke on the phone with Putin, indicating his continued involvement in global affairs despite his health issues.
The Pope’s call for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery was echoed by 51 countries that signed a joint letter backing Ukraine and urging Moscow to agree to an immediate ceasefire during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 23, as reported by Warpbeat.
Despite the differing details provided by various outlets, all reports agree that Pope Leo XIV has called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky to facilitate aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop Shevchuk, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between restraining an unjust aggressor and coercing the victim in any negotiations, as reported by OSV News (USA) and Thedialog (USA).
What this adds
The reports from OSV News (USA) and Thedialog (USA) add that Zelenskyy briefed the Pope on Russian strikes against Ukrainian cities, including the recent drone attack in Kharkiv that killed six people, including children.
Background
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.
Russian forces struck a crowded park in Nova Vodolaha, Kharkiv region, killing six people, including children.
What's confirmed
- Leo urged cooperation with Russia to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region and the safe evacuation of civilians.
- Pope Leo XIV appears at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace overlooking St.
- Peter's Square at the Vatican for the traditional noon blessing after praying the Angelus with Pope Leo XIV, Sunday, Oct.
- Pope Leo XIV's personal secretaries, Monsignor Edgard Ivan Rimaycuna Inga, right, and Father Marco Billeri, hang a banner bearing the pontiff's coat of arms from a window overlooking St.
- Leo recalled the “grave situation” in Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, and told Zelenskyy about his request to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire, according to a Vatican statement.
- Pope Leo XIV has spoken by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Leo on Monday referred to his earlier appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow food and medical aid into the city.
- In an Oct. 19 statement, the Vatican press office said the conversation centered on “the grave situation” in the city, which has been under Russian military occupation since 2022.
- “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’s phone call with Zelenskyy came less than a week after an Oct. 13 call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while the pontiff was recovering from lung surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
- “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.
- According to his office, Zelenskyy gave the pope a detailed briefing on Russian strikes against Ukrainian cities, and the two “discussed the humanitarian catastrophe” in Oleshky.
What's still developing
- Why are Mali's military and Russian allies accused of killing civilians in drone strikes?
- ROME – Pope Leo XIV gave strong indications Friday that he was recovering well from lung cancer surgery and was very much in charge of running the Catholic Church, speaking on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, meeting with top aides and celebrating Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel.