On Friday 16 October 2026, Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Poutine to request an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in a Ukrainian city. The Vatican said the Pope sought to protect civilians caught in the fighting.
The call came amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, where fighting has escalated since the 2022 invasion. The Pope’s appeal was aimed at halting hostilities to allow aid to reach those in need.
Details of the city in question were not disclosed in the brief statement issued by the Vatican. No response from the Kremlin was released at the time of the report.
The Vatican has previously urged both sides to consider humanitarian pauses, and this latest call reflects a continued effort to mitigate civilian suffering in the conflict zone.
The situation remains fluid, with international observers monitoring any developments that could lead to a temporary halt in fighting and the delivery of essential assistance to affected populations.
<small>Source: Actu Cameroun — read the original story there.</small>
