Lucrezia Ciotti Pope Leo XIV telephones Vladimir Putin from the Gemelli Hospital, where he is recovering from lung surgery, to address the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The conversation focuses on the request for a truce in Oleshky to allow for the arrival of aid and the evacuation of civilians, while the Holy See renews its commitment to dialogue and peace.
Vatican diplomacy between Moscow and Kiev: this is the second phone call with Putin.
The October 16th telephone conversation marks the second between Leo XIV and Vladimir Putin since the beginning of his pontificate. The previous one dates back to June 4, 2025 , less than a month after the election of Robert Francis Prevost to the papacy. On that occasion, the Pope had already emphasized the need to foster " the importance of dialogue ," promoting " positive contacts " and possible " solutions to the conflict ."
The meeting also addressed humanitarian support for war-affected populations and efforts to exchange prisoners.
The new conversation comes after two recent diplomatic missions to Russia . At the end of August, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, traveled to Moscow.
At the end of September, it was the turn of Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, president of the Italian Bishops' Conference and appointed by the Pope to carry out humanitarian initiatives. During his visit, Zuppi discussed with Russian authorities issues related to prisoners of war, the reunification of Ukrainian minors with their families, and the release of civilians. Among the topics discussed was the Oleshky crisis, which was brought back to the forefront by the Pope's phone call.
Pope Leo XIV calls Putin from the hospital: the urgent request
Despite being hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where he underwent surgery to remove lung adenocarcinoma, Pope Leo XIV continued his diplomatic efforts for peace in Ukraine. This afternoon, Friday, October 16, the Pontiff had a telephone conversation with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin , to address the dramatic situation of civilians trapped in the town of Oleshky , in the Kherson region, on the banks of the Dnieper River, in an area occupied by Russian forces.
The Holy See Press Office reported the contents of the conversation, emphasizing the Pope's " deep concern " for the conditions of the local population . During the conversation, Leo XIV called for a halt to fighting to allow for the delivery of food and medical supplies, as well as ensuring the voluntary and safe evacuation of residents. The goal is to allow civilians to leave the area without further risk, in a context marked by a humanitarian emergency and difficulties in accessing essential goods. At the end of the phone call, the Pontiff also reaffirmed " the Holy See's commitment to dialogue and peace ."
For its part, the Kremlin reported that Putin wished the Pope a speedy recovery after the operation. The Russian president also provided a " comprehensive explanation " of what Moscow considers Kiev's responsibility for the humanitarian conditions in Oleshky. According to a statement from the Russian presidency, Putin also expressed support for the Vatican's intention to help create safe conditions for the residents and organize the distribution of basic necessities.
The phone call with Putin confirms the Pontiff's willingness to support any initiative capable of fostering dialogue and reducing the suffering of the civilian population. The Holy See continues to offer itself as a partner for humanitarian mediation and the search for possible negotiated solutions, keeping open the prospect of dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv.