According to the “New York Times” report, on October 16, local time, Pope Leo XIV, who had just undergone lung cancer surgery, telephoned Russian President Putin and called on the Russian military to cease fire in Oreshki and evacuate the trapped civilians from this besieged Ukrainian city. The Vatican said in a statement that Leo XIV implored Putin to allow the delivery of food and medical supplies to the city and open a safe passage for people to evacuate. The Pope “expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation” and reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace. The Kremlin statement said that Putin “thanks the Pope for his willingness to promote conflict resolution and continue to carry out humanitarian efforts.”

According to the “New York Times” report, on October 16, local time, Pope Leo XIV, who had just undergone lung cancer surgery, telephoned Russian President Putin and called on the Russian military to cease fire in Oreshki and evacuate the trapped civilians from this besieged Ukrainian city. The Vatican said in a statement that Leo XIV implored Putin to allow the delivery of food and medical supplies to the city and open a safe passage for people to evacuate. The Pope “expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation” and reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace. The Kremlin statement said that Putin “thanks the Pope for his willingness to promote conflict resolution and continue to carry out humanitarian efforts.”