Pope Leo XIV has secured an agreement from Vladimir Putin to cooperate on delivering humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian city of Olechky, where residents face a severe food crisis. Operating from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital during his recovery from lung cancer surgery, the 71-year-old pontiff intervened directly to address mounting shortages in the Kherson region city, which has been under Russian control since February 2022.
The diplomatic breakthrough follows a telephone conversation initiated by the Pope on Friday, during which he called for a ceasefire to allow food and vital supplies into Olechky. While the Kremlin confirmed Saturday morning that Putin accepted the proposal to cooperate on humanitarian access, the Russian government’s statement made no mention of the requested ceasefire. According to the Vatican, the two leaders previously spoke in June 2025.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Olechky
Olechky sits in the Kherson region and has experienced severe supply disruptions. Danielle Bell, head of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, reported that the city’s population has dwindled from approximately 24,000 before the war to about 1,700 remaining residents, including 47 children.
Pope Leo called Putin from hospital and asked for a ceasefire plus aid for trapped civilians in Oleshky, Kherson. Putin said he would “cooperate,” but still blamed Ukraine. 🇺🇦🇷🇺🇻🇦Will this humanitarian appeal change anything on the ground, or is it just optics?
Both Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame over the blocked supply lines. Russia acknowledged severe food and medical shortages while accusing Ukrainian forces of obstructing deliveries to the area. Ukraine counters that it is Russia that prevents the delivery of food to the remaining civilians.
In a statement released after the call, the Kremlin acknowledged the Vatican’s initiative, noting that officials agreed to coordinate on securing safe conditions for local residents and organizing the delivery of essential goods. The Ukrainian Embassy to the Holy See subsequently thanked the pontiff for what it described as a gesture of solidarity and commitment to the people of Olechky.
Vatican Diplomacy Continues from Gemelli Hospital
The diplomatic effort marks an intervention by Pope Leo XIV while managing ongoing health treatments. Vatican officials reported that the Pope’s recovery from lung cancer surgery at Gemelli Hospital is progressing steadily, allowing him to maintain his daily workload and communicate with foreign leaders. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed to journalists that the outreach was a personal initiative by the pontiff to advocate for the city.
During the call, Vladimir Putin wished the Pope a full and prompt recovery. The Holy See reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace initiatives, even as international calls for a ceasefire have faced consistent resistance from the Kremlin.
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