POPE LEO XIV URGES HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA DURING CALL WITH ZELENSKY

What happened: Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging cooperation with Russia to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky and the safe evacuation of civilians, the Vatican said. Key numbers: Call with Zelensky on Monday; call with Putin on Friday; prior Putin call on June 4, 2025; surgery on Oct. 13; discharged Saturday. Why it matters: Leo told Zelensky of his request to Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire, and the Vatican reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.

Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging cooperation with Russia to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky and the safe evacuation of civilians, the Vatican said.

Leo told Zelensky of his request to Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire, and the Vatican reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.