Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation today. The Pontiff, fresh from surgery for lung cancer at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, "expressed deep concern for the grave humanitarian situation in the town of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, requesting a truce to allow for the arrival of food and medical aid and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population."
The Vatican announced this in a statement, adding that "the Holy Father finally reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to dialogue and peace."
The telephone conversation between the Pope, from Gemelli Hospital, and Putin is not unique. The Pontiff and the Russian leader spoke on June 4, 2025. Today's phone call follows the missions to Moscow of Msgr.
Paul Richard Gallagher, 'Vatican Foreign Minister' in August, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi at the end of September.
For his part, Putin expressed his sincere wishes for health and a speedy recovery to the Pope after his recent surgery by telephone, according to the Kremlin.
The Russian president then provided the Pope with an “exhaustive explanation” of what the Kremlin believes to be Kiev’s responsibility for the humanitarian situation in the city.
And he expressed support for the Vatican's intention to help create conditions for the safety of the city's population and organize the supply of basic necessities.
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