Pope Leo urges Putin to back ceasefire in Oleshky

Pope Leo XIV called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to support a ceasefire in Oleshky during a telephone conversation on October 16, seeking to enable food and medical deliveries and the safe, voluntary evacuation of civilians. The Vatican said Leo raised concern about the humanitarian situation in the city in Ukraine’s Kherson region while speaking from Gemelli Hospital, where he is recovering from lung surgery. The Vatican said Leo appealed for a halt in fighting to allow assistance to reach residents and civilians wishing to leave. It also said he reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace. The statement did not say who initiated the call. The Kremlin said Putin supported the Vatican’s initiative to help ensure residents’ safety and organize vital supplies, and that cooperation on the matter had been agreed. That account described support for the aid effort; the statements did not establish that a ceasefire took effect, supplies entered the city or evacuations occurred. The Kremlin also said Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of blocking supplies to Oleshky’s population. The supplied accounts do not independently establish responsibility for...