BREAKING Pope Leo XIV Speaks with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy by Phone Appeals for a Truce and Safe Civilian Evacuation

Following his recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pope Leo XIV spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today to address the critical situation in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, located in the Kherson region. Desperate residents remain trapped as all escape routes are cut off. The Pontiff called for "cooperation from both sides" to ensure the delivery of emergency aid and to enable the "voluntary and safe" evacuation of civilians. Since the start of his pontificate, the Pope has met with the Ukrainian leader three times and held three telephone conversations with him.

Pope Leo XIV’s phone outreach bridges the distance of a war in Ukraine—a "senseless slaughter" that has resurfaced in Europe, as he emphasized during his recent address in Metz.

Last Friday, October 16, while still hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital, the Pope phoned Vladimir Putin to appeal for a humanitarian truce in Oleshky, a town under Russian siege where the local population faces severe hardship. Late October 19th in the afternoon, the Pope followed up with a phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office, the plight of Oleshky remained the primary focus of their conversation.

Vatican Communication

The official Holy See statement noted:

"During the conversation, the Holy Father recalled the grave situation in the town of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, referring to the request for a humanitarian truce already presented to the President of the Russian Federation. The Holy Father expressed the hope that cooperation between both parties would allow the arrival of food and medical aid and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population."

The statement added that "finally, he reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to dialogue and peace."

Humanitarian Tragedy in Oleshky

Pope Leo continues to pursue the core goal he set at the beginning of his pontificate: to serve as a "missionary of peace." In the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, he offered Vatican City just days after his election as a neutral site and negotiation space to achieve a "just and lasting" peace.

Beyond maintaining open channels for diplomatic dialogue, the Pope is actively seeking immediate relief for Oleshky, a front-line town on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Approximately 2,000 residents—including around 50 children, according to Ukrainian authorities—have endured months without running water, electricity, basic medicines, or emergency medical services. The bridge connecting Oleshky to Kherson was destroyed in November 2022, cutting off the main exit route, while surrounding roads and villages are heavily mined. Ukrainian officials accuse Russian forces of blocking humanitarian corridors, whereas Moscow attributes the blockade to Kyiv.

During his earlier call with Putin—an initiative launched directly by the Pope, as confirmed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin—Leo XIV specifically requested “a truce to allow the arrival of food and medical aid and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population”.

Record of Previous Contacts

This latest appeal reflects the Pope's sustained dialogue with Zelensky over the 17 months of his pontificate:

• May 12, 2025: Four days after his Conclave election, Pope Leo held his first official call with Zelensky, who invited him to Kyiv and expressed openness to negotiations in any format, "including direct discussions."

• May 18, 2025: The two leaders met in person (alongside First Lady Olena Zelenska) following the inauguration Mass in St. Peter's Square.

• July 9, 2025: They held a private audience at Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo to discuss hosting peace talks at the Vatican.

• December 9, 2025: During a subsequent audience at Castel Gandolfo, both leaders appeared together on the balcony after discussing open dialogue, prisoner exchanges, and the return of deported Ukrainian children.

Diplomatic efforts regarding humanitarian affairs and prisoner exchanges have been led on the ground by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi—who has completed two visits each to Kyiv and Moscow—and were further reinforced during last summer's visit by Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

On Easter Sunday, April 3, the Pope spoke with Zelensky following heavy Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, expressing solidarity and emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian relief, prisoner releases, and a negotiated settlement.