Pope Leo urges Oleshky aid in Zelensky call

Pope Leo XIV phoned Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Oct. 19, 2026, about civilians in Russian-occupied Oleshky. About 2,000 people, including children, have no food, no safety and no escape there, the New York Times reported Oct. 5. The Vatican said Leo pointed to his Oct. 16 humanitarian-truce request to Vladimir Putin and hoped both sides' cooperation would let food and medical aid reach the city and allow voluntary, safe evacuation. He reaffirmed Holy See commitment to dialogue and peace. Leo is recovering at the Vatican from surgery six days earlier to remove a malignant nodule from his right lung. America Magazine said both calls were Holy See-initiated. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is working to help people in Oleshky and preparing a solution, and that Leo told him of contacts with Russia. He also reported intensified Russian attacks and three recent cases of no partner warnings on ballistic strikes. The Kremlin said Putin thanked Leo and supported Vatican efforts on safety and vital supplies, with cooperation agreed. Dmytro Lubinets said Ukraine and Russia are finalizing evacuation from Oleshky and six nearby settlements. Ukrainian forces delivered nearly 4 tons of food, medicine and baby kits. America Magazine said conditions had not changed since the Putin call. CONTESTED: Ukraine blames Russia for the Oleshky crisis; Russia blames Ukraine.