Pope Leo XIV calls Zelensky about Oleshky days after talking with Putin

On Oct 19, the Pope raised the situation in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in Ukraine's Kherson region. Its residents are cut off from food and medicine.

“His Holiness expressed the hope that cooperation between both sides will allow the delivery of food and medical aid, as well as the voluntary and safe evacuation of civilians,” the Holy See said.

— The Holy See

Background

The Pope recalled the humanitarian ceasefire he had asked Vladimir Putin for in their talks on Oct 16. He also repeated the Holy See's commitment to dialogue and peace.

What Zelensky raised

• Russia's escalation and strikes on cities
• The humanitarian catastrophe in Oleshky
• Missing warnings of ballistic attacks

Zelensky said he briefed the Pope on Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and on partners failing three times recently to warn of Russian ballistic attacks. Ukraine is preparing solutions for Oleshky, he said.