The Pope speaks to Putin on the phone: “Concern over the humanitarian situation in Oleshky”

Pope Francis and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation this afternoon. The Vatican Press Office reported the call.  “During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed deep concern about the serious humanitarian situation in the town of Oleshky, in the Kherson region,” the statement reads, “calling for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical aid and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population.” The Ukrainian town is under siege by Moscow. The Pope, the statement concludes, “finally reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue and peace”.

During the telephone call, the Russian president expressed “sincere wishes for good health and a speedy recovery” to the Pope following his recent surgery. According to a Kremlin statement, cited by Interfax, Putin emphasised “the importance of Russian-Vatican cooperation in promoting unifying spiritual and moral values and in protecting Christians and Christian places of worship in various regions of the world”. The statement reads that “both sides emphasised their interest in continuing the dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church”. The conversation, the Kremlin reports, was “constructive and characterised by mutual respect”.

This is the second time the Pope has had a telephone conversation with Putin: the last one took place on 4 June 2025. On that occasion, Leone asked Moscow: “Make a gesture that promotes peace”.