VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call Wednesday afternoon, urging a gesture from Moscow to favor peace and improve humanitarian conditions in Ukraine, the Vatican said.
According to Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni, the pope emphasized dialogue, the need to facilitate aid, and praised efforts by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi to arrange prisoner exchanges. Pope Leo also referenced his appreciation for Patriarch Kirill’s earlier congratulations and highlighted shared Christian values as a path toward peace and religious freedom.
The Kremlin, in its own statement, thanked the pontiff for his willingness to assist in resolving humanitarian issues and accused Kyiv of escalating the conflict.
This was Pope Leo’s first conversation with Putin, following his May 12 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which the pope expressed concern for displaced children and called for a just and lasting peace.
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