Christian World | In a phone call with Ukraine's president, Pope Leo XIV called for food and medical aid to reach civilians in the besieged city of Oleshky

ACW | October 20, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone on Monday, October 19, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the plight of civilians in the city of Oleshky, the Holy See Press Office said.

According to Vatican News, the Pope raised the serious situation in Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and recalled his earlier request for a humanitarian ceasefire. He expressed hope that cooperation between the two sides would allow food and medical aid to be delivered and civilians to be evacuated voluntarily and safely.

Zelensky said after the call: "We are working to help our people there. We are preparing decisions," Kyiv Post reported. He added that the Pope had told him about his contacts with Moscow.

The Pope also reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace. According to Kyiv Post, no humanitarian corridor or temporary ceasefire has been confirmed, and the Kremlin has not responded to the latest call.

Background: On Friday, October 16, Pope Leo XIV had also called Russian President Vladimir Putin to ask for a ceasefire so aid could reach Oleshky. He made that call from Rome's Gemelli hospital after lung surgery. According to America magazine, the Kremlin said Putin thanked the Pope for his "ongoing humanitarian efforts." Oleshky, on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, has been under Russian control since 2022.

Why it matters: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, said the Pope "took the initiative to plead the case of this besieged city." He said about 2,000 civilians need humanitarian routes to leave.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Vatican News — Pope Leo speaks with President Zelensky, calls for humanitarian aid; Kyiv Post — Pope Leo XIV speaks with Zelensky after Putin call on Oleshky; Vatican News — Pope urges humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky in call with Putin; America — Pope Leo and Zelensky discuss ceasefire in Oleshky

Photo: Vatican Media (Pope Leo and President Zelensky, July 2025)