Jeffrey A Porter,CPA

Just in from @HolySeePress: “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.” Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town across the Dnipro from Kherson, faces a humanitarian crisis after months of disrupted food and medicine supplies. Mined roads, drone attacks and restrictions on movement have left residents trapped, many without reliable water, electricity or medical care. Recent escapees describe severe hunger and untreated illness. Ukrainian drone deliveries are providing some aid, but safe evacuation remains extremely difficult as winter approaches. Pope Leo XIV and Vladimir Putin last spoke by telephone on 4 June 2025, less than a month after Leo’s election, during which Leo urged Russia to make a gesture towards peace in Ukraine; they also discussed humanitarian aid and prisoner exchanges.