🔶Pope asks Putin to establish a ceasefire in a besieged city in Ukraine

Pope Leo IV, in a phone call with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, asked for a ceasefire in the city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine so that the sending of food supplies and medical aid, as well as the voluntary and safe evacuation of civilians, could be made possible.

The Vatican said that during this call, the Pope expressed his deep concern about the humanitarian situation in this small city in the Kherson region— a city that Russian forces have besieged and blocked access to. He also once again stressed the necessity of peace and dialogue.

According to the Kremlin’s announcement, Putin wished the Pope, who is hospitalized after surgery, a speedy recovery. The Russian president thanked the Vatican for its readiness to mediate in the war in Ukraine and to help address humanitarian issues, but he placed responsibility for the situation in the city of Oleshky on Ukraine. However, he supported the Vatican’s efforts to provide security and the supplies needed by the city’s residents.