Pope Leo contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin by telephone on Friday to request a halt in hostilities that would allow humanitarian supplies and food to reach Oleshky, a town in Ukraine's Kherson region that came under Russian control in February 2022, the Vatican confirmed.

According to a Kremlin statement, Putin indicated his willingness to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies into the Russian-held town following the request made by Leo during their exchange. A Vatican statement indicated that Leo conveyed considerable unease about the humanitarian conditions in the area.

Both Russia and Ukraine have attributed responsibility to the other side for cutting off access to supplies in the town, where Ukrainian forces are seeking to re-establish control. The Kremlin noted in a statement that the Vatican's efforts to help bring about conditions for the safety of residents and the delivery of aid to the area had received backing. The statement made no reference to any ceasefire, though it noted that both parties had reached an understanding to work together on the matter.

People living in the area have flagged growing difficulties accessing food. Food and medicine shortages in Oleshky drew a public statement from Russian officials, who noted that armed forces personnel were working to address the situation. That statement placed responsibility for the supply disruption on Ukraine, asserting that its actions were preventing those goods from reaching the town. Kyiv has attributed the obstruction of food deliveries to actions taken by Moscow.

The telephone call between Leo and Putin, reported as taking place in June 2025, marked a single reported conversation between the two. A Vatican statement indicated that the pope reiterated support for any efforts directed toward achieving peace.

Speaking with reporters after the phone call concluded, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, conveyed that the outreach had originated with Leo. He conveyed that the pontiff intended to speak on behalf of the city, which had come under attack.

The 88-year-old pontiff continues to recuperate at Rome's Gemelli hospital following lung cancer surgery. A Vatican statement released on Friday indicated that his condition had been trending upward, with routine tasks and day-to-day activities now within his capacity. A get-well message from Putin, wishing Leo a full and prompt recovery, was relayed through an official Kremlin statement.

Before the war, Oleshky counted roughly 24,000 people among its residents. That figure has since fallen to approximately 1,700, among them 47 children, according to Danielle Bell, who leads the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.