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Pope Leo XIV urges Ukraine-Russia humanitarian cooperation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

Pope Leo XIV has urged cooperation between Ukraine and Russia to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky and safe civilian evacuation.

Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging cooperation with Russia to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky and enable the safe evacuation of civilians. The Vatican said the pope recalled the 'grave situation' in Oleshky, in Ukraine's Kherson region, and informed Zelenskyy of his request to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire.

The pope expressed hope that cooperation between the two sides would allow food and medical aid to reach the city and permit the voluntary and safe evacuation of civilians. He reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.

Leo had made the earlier appeal to Putin during a phone call on Friday while recovering at Rome's Gemelli hospital from surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The conversation with Putin was Leo's second known phone call with the Russian president since becoming pope; the two previously spoke on June 4, 2025, when they also discussed the war in Ukraine.

Leo underwent surgery on 13 October after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. Tests confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma. He was discharged on Saturday and said on Sunday during his Angelus prayer that he was slowly resuming his duties.

Pope Leo XIV urges Ukraine-Russia humanitarian cooperation
Image: News4Jax

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In this story: Pope Leo XIV · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Vladimir Putin · Oleshky · Kherson · Ukraine · Russia · Holy See

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