Pope calls on Putin to 'make a gesture' for peace

A written statement was issued by the Vatican Press Office regarding the phone call that took place between the Pope and Putin this afternoon.

The statement said, "During the conversation, in addition to matters of mutual interest, special attention was given to the situation in Ukraine and the issue of peace. The Pope called on Russia to make a gesture that would promote peace, and emphasized the importance of dialogue to ensure positive contacts between the parties and to find a solution to the conflict."

The statement noted that the two leaders' conversation focused on the humanitarian situation, the necessity of delivering aid to the relevant regions, ongoing efforts for prisoner exchanges, and the importance of the work carried out in this context by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, the special envoy appointed by Pope Francis to take steps toward peace in Ukraine.

The Vatican statement mentioned that during his conversation with Putin, Pope Leo XIV thanked Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill for the congratulatory message he sent upon the Pope's inauguration, stating, "The Pope emphasized that shared Christian values can be a guiding light in the efforts to seek peace, defend life, and seek true religious freedom."

In the statement issued by the Kremlin Palace regarding the phone call between Pope Leo XIV and Russian President Putin, it was stated that Putin emphasized to the Pope that he is in favor of resolving this crisis through political and diplomatic means, and that for this to happen, the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated. It was also noted that Putin thanked the Pope for his readiness to contribute to the resolution of the Ukraine crisis and for the Vatican's involvement in addressing humanitarian issues.