Pope Leo had a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin on Friday. Although focused on humanitarian issues in the Ukrainian war, the event represents a major step in confidence building, possibly preliminary to a more political role in the conflict. As Vatican secretary of State cardinal Pietro Parolin told journalists, it was the Pope who initiated the call. Avvenire, the daily of the Italian Catholic Bishops Conference, underlined that the call was the result of the recent visits to Moscow by two Vatican envoys, Secretary for the Relationships with States Archbishop Paul Gallagher and Italian Bishops’ Conference chairman Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi. Avvenire emphasized that for the first time, there have been “openings” on the Russian side.
The Vatican press office issued a short statement on the phone call, while the Kremlin issued a longer one. Here is the Kremlin readout:
“Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Pope Leo XIV.
“After wishing the supreme pontiff good health and a speedy recovery after the surgery he had undergone recently, Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of the cooperation between Russia and the Vatican in promoting common moral values and protecting Christians and Christian shrines across the world. Both sides emphasized their interest in maintaining dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.
“While exchanging views on the situation surrounding Ukraine, Vladimir Putin thanked the Pope for his willingness to contribute to resolving the conflict and for his ongoing humanitarian efforts.
“As the supreme pontiff expressed concern over the fate of civilians in the Russian town of Aleshki, Kherson Region, he was provided with a comprehensive explanation as to the Kiev regime’s responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation there. Support was expressed for the Vatican’s intention to facilitate creating the necessary conditions to keep the town’s population safe and provide vital supplies. The two sides agreed to cooperate in this regard.
The conversation was constructive and mutually respectful.”
Here is the Vatican press release:
“Today, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with His Excellency Mr Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
“During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson Region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population.
“Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.”
Two parts are worth emphasizing: the reference to the “dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church,” a dialogue which had been built for decades, but Leo’s predecessor contributed to destroying it when he called Kirill “Putin’s altar boy”; and, although Putin gave a “comprehensive description” of Kiev’s responsibility of the sufferings in Oleshky (Russian spelling Alyoshki), nonetheless the Russian leader supported the Vatican’s hope to initiate relief for the town.
Situated on the Russian-held left bank of the Dnieper River directly across from Kherson city, Oleshky was flooded by the destruction of the Khakovka dam in June 2023. Houses in the town of 24,000 people were submerged up to their roofs. Currently, only 2000 residents remain in the town. There is a humanitarian crisis because of scarce food supplies since last May, and the road to Radensk, about 16 km to the southeast, has become a “road of death.” The Russians describe Oleshky and its road out as being under “drone siege” from the Armed Forces of Ukraine-held right bank of the Dnieper and say that the road is being distance-mined by the AFU. For weeks, the Oleshky crisis has been publicized in Europe as a “Russian atrocity.”
The Pope was discharged from the hospital Oct. 17 and will lead the noon Angelus prayer on Sunday.
