Pope Leo XIV spoke with Vladimir Putin on Friday, calling for a ceasefire in the occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow aid deliveries. The call occurred just days after the Pontiff underwent surgery for lung cancer.
Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, October 16, 2026, calling for a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region. The call took place just three days after the Pontiff underwent surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung.
The Vatican stated that during the conversation, Pope Leo expressed "deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation" in Oleshky. He called for a ceasefire to allow for the delivery of food and medical assistance, as well as the "voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population."
Residents of Oleshky, which has been occupied by Russia since 2022, have reportedly had no food deliveries since May. The United Nations revealed that approximately 1,700 people remain trapped in the destroyed town, facing severe shortages of food and water, limited electricity, and restricted medical care. Ukrainian authorities have stated that around 2,000 civilians remain in the city, where supply routes are blocked.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the crisis in Oleshky as a "genocide" while speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum. "Now we are not talking about famine there, we are talking about genocide," Zelensky said. Ukraine's human rights ombudsman stated on Telegram that Russia leaves civilians with the choice to "stay and starve to death, leave and risk getting blown on a landmine."
The Kremlin confirmed the phone call, stating that Putin "supported" the Vatican’s intention to help alleviate the humanitarian situation. However, the Kremlin also noted that a "detailed explanation was provided regarding the Kyiv regime's responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation" in Oleshky.
According to the Kremlin, Putin wished the Pope a speedy recovery and stressed the "importance of Russian-Vatican cooperation in promoting unifying spiritual and moral values." This was the second phone call between Pope Leo XIV and Putin during the Pontiff's papacy; their previous conversation occurred on June 4, 2025.
Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent a 90-minute operation on Tuesday, October 13, to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
Despite the recent procedure, the Pope celebrated Mass on Friday at the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, where he is recovering. Images released by the Vatican showed him leading the service in a makeshift chapel on the 10th floor, dressed in green vestments. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope presided over the liturgy alone, distributed Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes, and delivered a homily thanking the staff for their care.
Medical updates from Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora indicated that the Pope's post-operative recovery was proceeding as expected. "His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own," the doctors stated. Tests to determine the precise molecular makeup of the cancer and whether it has spread are still pending.
The phone call highlights the Vatican's continued diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian impact of the war in Ukraine, even as the Pontiff recovers from a serious health diagnosis. The situation in Oleshky underscores the severe civilian toll of the conflict, with international bodies and Ukrainian officials accusing Russia of blocking aid and endangering lives. The Pope's ability to engage in high-level diplomatic discussions shortly after major surgery signals his intent to remain active in global affairs despite his health challenges.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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