Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, Oct. 19, just three days after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as the Vatican intensified efforts to secure humanitarian access to the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky in the southern Kherson region.
During the call, the pope returned to his earlier request for a humanitarian ceasefire, expressing hope that cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow would allow desperately needed food and medical supplies to reach civilians trapped in the town and enable their safe evacuation.
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According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the pontiff specifically referred to the humanitarian ceasefire he had requested during his Oct. 16 conversation with Putin.
“His Holiness expressed the hope that cooperation between both parties will allow for the delivery of food and medical aid, and for the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population,” the Vatican said.
The latest conversation comes as Ukrainian authorities warn that civilians in Oleshky face a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, with severely restricted access to food, clean water, medicine and essential services.
Zelensky Says Ukraine Preparing Decisions to Help Oleshky Residents
Zelensky confirmed the conversation, saying he briefed the pope on Russia’s escalating attacks against Ukrainian cities and the humanitarian crisis in occupied Oleshky.
“We are working to help our people there. We are preparing decisions,” Zelensky said, adding that the pontiff had informed him about his contacts with Moscow.
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Zelensky wished the pope a speedy recovery following surgery to remove a lung tumor and thanked him for his continued support for Ukraine.
Pope Previously Urged Putin to Agree to Ceasefire
As Kyiv Post previously reported, Pope Leo XIV spoke with Putin on Friday, Oct. 16, urging a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky to allow food and medical deliveries and civilian evacuations.
Russian state media reported that Putin blamed Ukraine for the humanitarian crisis while expressing support for the Vatican’s humanitarian efforts. No ceasefire agreement was announced.
Oleshky, on the Russian-occupied eastern bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast, has been under Moscow’s control since 2022.
Ukrainian officials have warned of severe shortages of food, clean water, medicine and electricity. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called for international intervention, while Ukrainian religious organizations have appealed to the Vatican to help prevent starvation among trapped civilians.
Despite the pope’s successive conversations with Putin and Zelensky, no humanitarian corridor or temporary ceasefire has been confirmed.
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