Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday and called for a ceasefire in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in Ukraine's Kherson region, Euronews and the Kyiv Independent reported. The pope "expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky," the Vatican said. He called for a ceasefire "to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population," the Vatican said.

About 2,000 civilians remain in the city, Euronews and the Kyiv Independent reported. The humanitarian situation has worsened since the summer as evacuation efforts stalled and attacks made it hard to deliver food and medicine, the Kyiv Independent reported. Ukraine had prepared an evacuation mission with the International Committee of the Red Cross, but Russia had not confirmed it would take part, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said it was "the Holy Father who took the initiative" to call Putin, according to Euronews. "I hope," Parolin said, "that when faced with a request from the Holy Father, President Putin will agree to implement what has been asked of him," Euronews reported.

The Russian account was different in tone. Putin thanked the pope for his humanitarian initiatives and wished him a speedy recovery, Euronews reported, citing a statement carried by Russian news agencies. Putin also blamed Ukraine for the crisis in Oleshky, the Kyiv Independent reported. "Putin provided the pope with detailed explanations of the Kyiv regime's responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Oleshky," Russian state news agency TASS reported, according to the Kyiv Independent.

The pope made the call from Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he is recovering from lung cancer surgery, Euronews reported. He had the surgery on Oct. 13, the Kyiv Independent reported. It was the second known phone call between Leo and Putin since Leo became pope in 2025, Euronews and the Kyiv Independent reported.

What we know: Pope Leo asked Putin for a ceasefire in Oleshky so aid can enter and civilians can leave, and the Kremlin blamed Kyiv for the crisis.
What we don't: Whether Russia will agree to a pause or let an evacuation go ahead.