Christian World | At the All Saints' Day Angelus, Pope Leo XIV urged parties to Ukraine's war to seek dialogue and new peace steps after a humanitarian truce in Oleshky

ACW | November 1, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged those responsible for the war in Ukraine to show "greater willingness to engage in dialogue" and to pursue "new concrete initiatives for peace," speaking after the Angelus in St Peter's Square, Vatican News reported.

The pope said he hoped cooperation between the parties involved in a humanitarian operation in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied Ukrainian town, would build that willingness, according to Vatican News, the Holy See's official news service.

The operation evacuated hundreds of civilians under a rare humanitarian ceasefire and delivered food, drinking water and medical supplies to residents who stayed, Vatican News said. The exact number evacuated was not disclosed for security reasons.

It followed diplomatic efforts involving the pope and US first lady Melania Trump, who helped broker the agreement, the outlet said. Leo entrusted all those suffering from war to the Virgin Mary, "Queen of Peace and Queen of All Saints."

In his All Saints' Day reflection, the pope said "holiness is not a privilege reserved for a few" and urged the faithful to foster peace "both in the most important situations and in the ordinary circumstances of everyday life." No reaction from Russia or Ukraine appeared in the Vatican News report.

Background: The pope's almoner delivered aid to Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, days earlier; read ACW's report.

Why it matters: Leo had personally appealed to the Russian leader to allow humanitarian aid and the evacuation of Oleshky's civilians, Vatican News reported.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Vatican News — Pope appeals for dialogue and concrete initiatives for peace in Ukraine; Vatican News — Pope at Angelus on the Solemnity of All Saints

Photo: Vatican Media