Pope Leo Calls Putin Seeking Aid Access to Besieged Oleshky
While recovering from lung cancer surgery in a Rome hospital, Pope Leo XIV phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 16, 2026 to request a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access for roughly 2,000 civilians trapped in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, and the Kremlin said Putin agreed to cooperate.
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| Oct 17, 3:17 AM | newsweek.com | Pope Leo Makes Direct Appeal to Putin From Hospital |
| Oct 16, 7:10 PM | nypost.com | Pope Leo XIV calls Putin, urges ceasefire as he recovers from lung surgery |
| Oct 16, 4:10 PM | foxnews.com | Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine city |
| Oct 16, 12:56 PM | euronews.com | Pope Leo XIV urges Putin to agree to truce in besieged Ukrainian city of Oleshky |
| Oct 16, 11:30 AM | inquirer.com | Pope speaks with Putin, denouncing recent attacks as he shows recovery from lung surgery progressing |
| Oct 16, 11:25 AM | nytimes.com | Pope Asks Putin for a Cease-Fire for a Ukrainian City Under Siege |
| Oct 16, 10:40 AM | straitstimes.com | Putin agrees to cooperate with Pope Leo's plea for aid for Ukrainian town |
| Oct 16, 9:05 AM | straitstimes.com | Kremlin says Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to help civilians in Oleshky |
| Oct 16, 9:01 AM | straitstimes.com | From hospital, Pope Leo pushes Putin for ceasefire in contested Ukraine city |