Days after lung surgery, Pope Leo calls Putin from the hospital to urge a ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky
Even from a hospital bed, the pope is making the call for peace.
Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin from his hospital bed, urging a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into a Ukrainian city facing severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
The call came as the pope recovered at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been since undergoing surgery on his right lung. According to the Vatican’s official statement, Leo expressed “deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation” in Oleshky, a city in Ukraine’s Kherson region under Russian occupation.
The pope called for a ceasefire that would allow food and medical assistance to reach residents and enable the “voluntary and safe evacuation” of civilians. He also reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue and peace.
The Kremlin said Putin supported the Vatican’s humanitarian efforts and agreed to cooperate on protecting civilians and securing essential supplies, Reuters reported. However, the Kremlin’s account did not confirm that Russia had agreed to a ceasefire.
Oleshky’s residents face worsening shortages
Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The city’s humanitarian situation has deteriorated as fighting, damaged infrastructure and dangerous evacuation routes leave civilians struggling to survive.
According to The Associated Press, the city’s population has fallen from approximately 24,000 before the invasion to fewer than 2,000 people. Residents face shortages of food, medicine and basic necessities, while electricity, heating and running water are unavailable. The United Nations’ human rights office said the last regular food delivery by road reached Oleshky on May 26. Roads around the city are heavily mined, while drone attacks and ongoing fighting make travel dangerous for civilians attempting to escape.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for a humanitarian corridor to evacuate residents. The International Committee of the Red Cross has said it is prepared to assist with an evacuation if both sides agree and adequate security guarantees are in place.
Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the conditions in the occupied city. The Kremlin said Putin gave the pope what it described as a detailed explanation of Kyiv’s responsibility for the crisis. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, have accused Russian authorities of failing to provide adequate assistance to residents under their control, and previous ceasefire efforts between the two sides have struggled to hold.
The Vatican continues its diplomatic efforts
The phone call marks another attempt by the Vatican to use diplomatic channels to address the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Leo has repeatedly called for peace and negotiations since becoming pope in 2025, and he kept up that effort just days after his lung surgery.
The Holy See has also pursued humanitarian initiatives involving prisoners of war and children separated from their families during the conflict. Its diplomatic efforts have focused on dialogue, civilian protection and finding opportunities for humanitarian assistance even as fighting continues.
The pope’s appeal has opened another channel for discussions, but whether it will lead to a ceasefire or a functioning humanitarian corridor remains unclear.
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