Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he requested a ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, besieged between the Russian and Ukrainian armies on the banks of the Dnieper River, the Vatican reported on Friday.
The Holy See said in a statement, "During the call, His Holiness the Pope expressed grave concern over the critical humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, located in the Kherson region, calling for a truce that would allow the delivery of food and medical aid, and enable the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population."
