In brief
While on his way to Montevideo for an apostolic visit, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the success of a recent humanitarian mission in Alyoshki, Kherson Region, Ukraine, and called for its continuation. He praised the life‑saving efforts and emphasized the need for ongoing peace initiatives in the region. The reaffirmation came after a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 16.
The Vatican’s pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, hailed a humanitarian mission in the Ukrainian town of Alyoshki in the Kherson Region, praising the operation’s success in saving lives and urging that it continue. The remarks were made during an interview with journalists while the pope was flying to Montevideo, where he began his apostolic visit to Uruguay, according to TASS.
In the interview, Pope Leo XIV remarked that the mission “was not an isolated incident” and that “much still needs to be done to achieve peace [in Ukraine].” He expressed gratitude that the mission was able to reach those in need and stressed the importance of sustaining such efforts beyond this single event.
Earlier, on October 16, the pope had spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During that conversation, he again touched on the situation in Alyoshki, noting the humanitarian work and the broader context of peace in the region, as reported by TASS.
While the pope’s comments highlight a positive outcome for the citizens of Alyoshki, they also underscore the ongoing need for wider peace initiatives across Ukraine. The Vatican’s stance, as captured by TASS, remains that continued humanitarian engagement is essential while larger efforts toward peace must also be pursued.
