Diplomacy · Rome, Oleshky, and Moscow
Pope Leo XIV asks Putin for a truce in besieged Oleshky from his Rome hospital bed
Phoning from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he is recovering from lung-cancer surgery, Pope Leo XIV asked Putin on Friday, 16 October, for a truce in Oleshky so that food, medical aid and a voluntary evacuation of civilians could proceed. The Kremlin said Putin offered support for the Vatican's aim of helping secure the city.
AI text based on reports by ANSA.it, europa press and Adnkronos. Changed . How it is made
In brief
On Friday, 16 October, Pope Leo XIV phoned Putin from Rome's Gemelli Hospital and requested a truce in Oleshky, Kherson region, to allow food and medical aid and a voluntary, safe evacuation of civilians.
The Kremlin said Putin gave the pope a full explanation of Kyiv's responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, while backing the Vatican's plan to help secure the city's population and organize vital supplies.
The pope and Putin last spoke on 4 June 2025. Paul Richard Gallagher visited Moscow in late August and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi in late September, both on behalf of the Vatican.
- 4 JunPope Leo XIV and Putin hold their previous phone call
- Late August 2026Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, visits Moscow
- Late September 2026Cardinal Matteo Zuppi visits Moscow as the pope's envoy for humanitarian issues
- 16 OctPope Leo XIV phones Putin from the Gemelli Hospital and asks for a truce in Oleshky
A call from the Gemelli
Pope Leo XIV phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, 16 October, from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he is recovering from surgery for lung cancer. The Holy See Press Office said the pope voiced deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, a city in the Kherson region of Ukraine, and asked for a truce. The truce would allow food and medical supplies to reach residents and let civilians leave the city voluntarily and safely. The call came three days after the operation.
The Vatican reported the pope's closing remarks in the conversation.
“Finally, the Holy Father reiterated the Holy See's commitment to fostering dialogue and peace.”
Moscow's reply
The Kremlin said Putin wished the pope a speedy recovery and gave him what it described as a full explanation of why it holds Kyiv responsible for the humanitarian situation in Oleshky. Putin nonetheless backed the Vatican's intention to help create conditions that secure the city's population and organize essential supplies. A separate Kremlin statement, relayed by RIA Novosti, quoted Putin on cooperation with the Vatican in protecting Christians and Christian places of worship in various regions of the world.
Vatican diplomacy
The two men had spoken before, most recently on 4 June 2025. Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly offered the Holy See as a venue for possible negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. In late August and again in late September, he sent two senior aides to Moscow: Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, his envoy for humanitarian issues.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, explained how the call came about and said the pope had taken the initiative himself to argue for the city.
The pope's recovery
The Vatican released its first photos since the operation, showing the pope in good shape. It confirmed that his post-operative recovery is progressing well and that he is working between physiotherapy sessions. The Angelus on Sunday, 18 October, is confirmed, most likely from the Gemelli. An earlier discharge on Saturday, 17 October, remains an open possibility, and in that case the pope would address the faithful in St Peter's Square, as he did when he first announced his health problem.
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Sources and context
- ANSA.itThe Pope hears Putin and asks for a truce for Oleshky, the tsar opensIl Papa sente Putin e chiede tregua per Oleshky, lo zar apre - Notizie · original in Italian
- europa pressThe Pope speaks by phone with Putin and asks him for a ceasefire for...El Papa habla por teléfono con Putin y le pide un alto el fuego para... · original in Spanish
- ANSA.itThe Pope to Putin, “a truce for the city of Oleshky”Il Papa a Putin, 'una tregua per la città di Oleshky' - Ultima ora · original in Italian
- ANSA.itLet us cooperate to protect Christians worldwide Putin tells pope - Vatican
- Pope Leo XIV
- Head of the Catholic Church, recovering at the Gemelli Hospital after lung-cancer surgery, who phoned Putin to request the Oleshky truce
- Vladimir Putin
- President of Russia, who spoke with the pope by phone and gave the Kremlin's account of the Oleshky situation
- Pietro Parolin
- Cardinal and Vatican Secretary of State, who explained the circumstances of the call
- Paul Richard Gallagher
- Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, who visited Moscow in late August
- Matteo Zuppi
- Cardinal and the pope's envoy for humanitarian issues, who visited Moscow in late September
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