Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the press office of the Holy See, the Pope expressed "deep concern" over the situation in the city of Oleshky, Kherson Oblast.
According to the statement, the Pope urged Putin to implement a ceasefire to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.
"In conclusion, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to dialogue and the promotion of peace," the statement noted.
Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, called on the international community and international organizations to increase pressure on Russia to end the siege of Oleshky.
Meanwhile, according to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin told the Pope that he agrees to cooperate and will assist in bringing necessary supplies into the city.
As Reuters reports, Oleshky was captured by Russian forces in February 2022. Residents speak of a food crisis.
According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, the population of Oleshky was about 24,000 before the war, but now approximately 1,700 people live there, including 47 children.
