Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pope Leo XIV discussed the war in Ukraine and humanitarian conditions in occupied parts of the Kherson region in a telephone call on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry’s account is the only one available so far. The Vatican had not commented at the time of writing.
Wishes for recovery
Putin began by wishing the pontiff good health and a speedy recovery after the surgery he recently underwent, the ministry said. The pope had the operation to remove a small lung nodule.
The Russian leader stressed the importance of Russian-Vatican cooperation in promoting “common moral values” and protecting Christians and Christian shrines worldwide, according to the ministry.
Both sides reaffirmed their interest in keeping up dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.
Ukraine and Alyoshki
On Ukraine, Putin thanked the pope for his willingness to help resolve the conflict and for his humanitarian work, the ministry said.
The pontiff voiced concern for civilians in Alyoshki, in the Russian-held part of the Kherson region. In response, Putin gave “comprehensive explanations” of what the ministry called the Ukrainian government’s responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation there. Kyiv has not responded to the claim, which could not be independently verified.
Putin backed the Vatican’s intention to help create conditions for the safety of the town’s residents and to arrange deliveries of vital supplies, and the two sides agreed to cooperate on the matter, the ministry said.
It described the conversation as “constructive and mutually respectful”.
