Pope Leo XIV has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The request aims to enable the delivery of food and medical supplies, as well as ensure the safe evacuation of civilians who are facing severe shortages of basic necessities. The Pope made his appeal by phone from his hospital room in Rome, where he is recovering from lung surgery.
Pope Calls for Unhindered Humanitarian Aid
The Vatican press office stated that the Pope expressed deep concern over the situation in Oleshky, located in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. He believes a ceasefire would create the necessary conditions for the delivery of food, medicines, and additional medical assistance.
An essential part of the Pope’s appeal is the provision for voluntary and safe evacuation of local civilians. Pope Leo XIV also reiterated the Holy See’s ongoing commitment to promoting dialogue and peace initiatives.
The phone conversation with President Putin took place on Friday, 16 October 2026. At that time, the Pope was recovering from lung surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Oleshky Facing Food, Water, and Medicine Shortages
Oleshky is situated on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the part of Kherson region controlled by Russian forces. The city is near the front line, and residents have limited access to essential supplies.
According to Ukrainian reports, supply routes into Oleshky have been cut off. Locals are lacking food, drinking water, and medicines, with damaged infrastructure worsening the crisis. Citing data referenced by news agency TASR, more than 6,000 people—including about 200 children—currently reside in Oleshky and its suburbs.
Previous efforts to deliver aid to Oleshky have also been discussed, including past instances where drones were needed to transport humanitarian supplies due to the presence of Russian troops on the roads. Read more on how aid reached Oleshky in the article Drones Deliver Aid to Oleshky.
Kremlin Promises Cooperation, but Ceasefire Not Confirmed
According to Reuters, following the call Kremlin stated it supports creating conditions to ensure the safety of civilians and the organization of essential aid deliveries. The statement also said both sides had agreed to cooperate on this issue.
However, the Kremlin’s statement did not explicitly confirm that Russia would agree to the ceasefire itself. The distinction between a declared willingness to collaborate on aid and an actual commitment to halt fighting remains important.
Oleshky is one of several cities in southern Ukraine where the war has severely restricted civilian life. The Pope’s appeal is mainly aimed at ensuring vital supplies reach residents and that those wishing to leave can do so safely.
Broader aspects of the war in Ukraine and support efforts are covered in the article NATO Changes Its Strategy and Strengthens Defense.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
