World · Europe · 1 day ago
Pope Leo urges Putin to allow aid and evacuation in Oleshky
Pope Leo XIV urged Vladimir Putin to support a ceasefire in Oleshky, a city in Ukraine’s Kherson region.
The Vatican said the pope raised concerns about the city’s serious humanitarian situation during a phone call with the Russian president.
Oleshky is in Russian-occupied territory, and the front line and mines around it make leaving dangerous.
About 2,000 civilians remain in the city, according to figures cited by the sources, and residents urgently need help.
The ceasefire call was meant to allow food and medical aid to reach residents and enable civilians to evacuate safely.
Ukraine’s embassy to the Holy See thanked the pope for his support; the sources do not say that a ceasefire or evacuation has been agreed.
Pope Leo XIV urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to support a ceasefire in Oleshky, a Ukrainian town in the Kherson region.
He said a truce should allow food and medical aid to reach civilians and enable their voluntary and safe evacuation.
The Vatican said Leo expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in the town.
Ukrainian sources say about 2,000 people remain in Oleshky and urgently need assistance.
Putin said Russia supported Vatican efforts to ensure residents’ safety and supplies, while the Kremlin blamed Ukraine for the situation.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- What
- Leo urged a ceasefire in Oleshky to allow aid deliveries and safe, voluntary civilian evacuation.
- When
- The call took place on October 16, 2026, according to the reports.
- Where
- Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region.
- Why
- To enable food and medical assistance to reach civilians and allow them to leave safely.
The Vatican
The Kremlin
Responsibility for the crisis
The Vatican
The Vatican called for a ceasefire to enable aid and evacuation.
The Kremlin
The Kremlin blamed Ukraine for the situation and accused its forces of preventing food deliveries with drone attacks.
Humanitarian response
The Vatican
The Pope urged a truce to allow food, medical aid and safe, voluntary evacuation.
The Kremlin
Putin said Russia supported Vatican efforts to ensure residents’ safety and supplies.
Leo underwent an operation for a malignant tumour in his right lung, according to Spiegel.
Leo spoke with Putin from the Gemelli hospital and urged a ceasefire in Oleshky.
Ukraine’s embassy to the Holy See thanked the Pope for his support for Oleshky’s residents.
- Residents in Oleshky
- About 2,000, according to Ukrainian sources
- Children in Oleshky
- Almost 50, according to Ukrainian sources cited by Spiegel
- Distance to Kherson
- 9 kilometres
- Location
- Kherson region, on the southern bank of the Dnipro
- Hospital
- Gemelli hospital, Rome
- Last shop
- Closed in January, according to UN information cited by Spiegel
3 sources
What people are saying
deep concern
delivery of food and medical aid as well as the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population
a very important act, especially since this is such an urgent humanitarian issue
very positive