Pope Leo urges Ukraine and Russia to aid Oleshky residents

Pope Leo XIV urged Ukraine and Russia to cooperate on food and medical aid and the safe evacuation of civilians from Oleshky during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on October 19, the Vatican said. The appeal focused on the humanitarian situation in the southern Ukrainian city, which has been under Russian military occupation since 2022. The Holy See Press Office said Leo expressed hope that cooperation between the two sides would allow aid deliveries and voluntary, safe evacuations. He also reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace. The Vatican’s statement described the situation in Oleshky as grave and recalled Leo’s earlier request for a humanitarian ceasefire. Zelensky’s office said the Ukrainian president briefed Leo on Russian strikes against Ukrainian cities and discussed the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky. It said Ukraine was working to help residents and preparing necessary decisions, and that Leo told Zelensky about his contacts with Russia. The office did not say that aid had arrived or that an evacuation had begun. The call followed Leo’s October 16 conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Vatican...