Pope Leo XIV appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire in the occupied city of Oleshky during a phone call from hospital, according to a Vatican News report.
The pontiff raised what the Holy See Press Office described as “the grave humanitarian situation in the city,” which lies along the front line in the Kherson region. He urged a pause in fighting that would allow food and medical supplies to enter and residents to leave voluntarily and safely, according to a statement.
The Holy See said Leo also “reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.” Leo last spoke with Putin by phone in June 2025, Vatican News added.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said Leo initiated the latest call to advocate for the besieged city, where approximately 2,000 civilians require safe routes out.
“I hope that, in response to the Holy Father’s request, President Putin will agree to do what the Pope has asked,” Parolin added, according to Vatican News. “The fact that he accepted the call and spoke with the Pope may, I hope, be a sign that the Pope’s request will indeed be carried out.”
Newsweek contacted the Holy See and Russia's foreign ministry for comment via email on Saturday.
Oleshky, once home to around 24,000 people, was captured by Russian forces on the first day of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Food and medical supplies have been scarce for months, while residents have endured a lack of electricity, heating and running water, according to an Associated Press (AP) report published Saturday.
The city sits on the Dnipro River, separating its Russian occupiers from Ukrainian forces. Roads out are mined, and both sides have blamed one another for the crisis, although occupying power Russia is required under international law to ensure civilians have essential supplies and has made no commitment, the AP reported.
Pope Leo Health Update
Vatican News said Leo had been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Tuesday after undergoing surgery Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
Leo’s doctors, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, said he "underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray [Friday] morning, which confirmed the steady improvement in his overall condition," according to a release.
The doctors added that respiratory physiotherapy had continued and that Leo could perform ordinary daily activities without assistance.
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The 71-year-old also celebrated Mass in a room on the hospital’s 10th floor and distributed Communion. He thanked those caring for him and other patients, according to Vatican News.
Leo’s operation this week confirmed that he had lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, and surgeons removed the affected portion of his lung without complications, Newsweek reported previously.
The diagnosis came less than a year and a half after Leo became the first American pope, following Pope Francis' death in April 2025.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.