The key facts

  • Leo XIV spoke with Zelensky on October 19, earlier in the week — with Putin
  • The central topic is Oleshky: a request for a humanitarian ceasefire has been conveyed to the Russian side
  • Ukraine and Russia are coordinating details of the evacuation of the city and six neighboring settlements — Verkhovna Rada Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets

The call with Zelensky

Pope Leo XIV held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday evening, October 19, the Vatican press office reported. The call took place a few days after the pontiff's conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, during which the pope called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky — a city under siege — so that food and medical aid could be delivered there and civilians could evacuate safely.

Focus on Oleshky

According to the Vatican press office, Oleshky was the main topic of the conversation with Zelensky as well. “During the conversation, the Holy Father drew attention to the dire situation in the city of Oleshky in Kherson region, referring to the request for a humanitarian ceasefire already conveyed to the President of the Russian Federation,” the statement said. The pontiff expressed hope that cooperation between both sides would allow aid to be delivered to the city and ensure the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population. Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that Ukraine and Russia are coordinating the details of the evacuation of civilians from the city and six nearby settlements.

Regular contacts with Zelensky

Leo XIV, born in Chicago, maintains regular contact with Zelensky. In May 2025, their first phone call took place, during which Zelensky invited the pope to Kyiv and confirmed the country's readiness for further negotiations. Later that same month, they met right after the Mass marking the beginning of the pontificate in St. Peter's Square. On July 9, 2025, a private audience took place at the Villa Barberini — the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo — where the possibility of holding future peace talks at the Vatican was discussed. Another meeting took place on December 9, also in Castel Gandolfo: they discussed maintaining dialogue, issues of prisoners of war, and the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia. On April 3 of this year, the pope spoke with Zelensky again amid intensified Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people and emphasizing the urgency of humanitarian aid, the release of prisoners, and a peaceful resolution through negotiations.