On October 16, World Food Day, Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks took place while the pontiff was at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, recovering from lung cancer surgery performed on October 13. The central subject of the conversation was the humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine, and the conversation itself, according to the Vatican, was a proactive step by the head of the Roman Catholic Church to protect civilians affected in the conflict zone.
Humanitarian Appeal from the Hospital
In his message dedicated to World Food Day, the Pope stressed that "regular access to safe, sufficient, and adequate food" is a "fundamental human right" that must be protected. During the phone call, Leo XIV expressed "deep concern" over the situation in Oleshky—a city in the Kherson region controlled by Russia—and called for a ceasefire to ensure the delivery of food, urgent medical assistance, and the safe voluntary evacuation of the civilian population. The Vatican also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting dialogue and achieving peace between Ukraine and Russia.
The Kremlin's Position
The Kremlin, in turn, stated that President Putin supported the Vatican's humanitarian initiative. According to the Kremlin, "the Vatican's intention to support the creation of necessary conditions to ensure the safety of the city's residents and provide necessary assistance was supported," and "both parties agreed to cooperate on this issue." The Russian statement notes that the exchange of views took place in "a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere"; Putin wished the Pope a speedy recovery and thanked him for his readiness to contribute to the "settlement of the conflict" and for his "humanitarian efforts." Separate details of the course of the negotiations—including who exactly initiated the call—are disclosed differently by the parties: the Vatican characterizes the conversation as a proactive step by the Pope, while the Ukrainian outlet Fakty ICTV indicates that the call was made by a Kremlin representative.
The Situation in Oleshky
Oleshky is located on the banks of the Dnieper River, near the frontline. Before the war, the city's population was about 24,000, but according to available data, only about 1,700–2,000 residents remain there now, many of whom are children. According to a report by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) on September 19, people have "effectively found themselves trapped in a 'gray zone' near the frontline" and are subject to a prolonged humanitarian blockade: the last food delivery was recorded on May 26.
Diplomatic Context
For Leo XIV and Vladimir Putin, this is already their second telephone contact: they first spoke by phone on June 4 of last year. By comparison, the pontiff's predecessor, Pope Francis, last spoke with Putin on December 17, 2021, and following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, his attempts to directly contact the Russian leader, according to Ukrainian media, remained unsuccessful. Despite the parties' persistent disagreements regarding responsibility for the crisis, Russia's agreement to cooperate with the Vatican, according to observers, opens up the possibility for the creation of an emergency aid channel for the residents of Oleshky in the near future.
