Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on those responsible for the ongoing war in Ukraine to strengthen dialogue and take practical steps towards peace following a humanitarian operation that helped evacuate civilians from the Russian occupied town of Oleshky.
Speaking during his Angelus address in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, the Pope welcomed the humanitarian operation, which enabled hundreds of civilians to leave the town earlier this week under a rare humanitarian ceasefire.
He expressed hope that the cooperation between the parties involved in making the evacuation possible would encourage further dialogue and lead to meaningful initiatives to end the conflict.
The operation followed diplomatic efforts involving Pope Leo XIV and United States First Lady Melania Trump. Melania Trump helped broker the agreement, while the Pope personally appealed to the Russian leader to permit humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of civilians.
In addition to the evacuation, essential supplies, including food, drinking water and medical supplies, were delivered to people who remained in Oleshky.
The exact number of people evacuated has not been made public due to security concerns. However, Melania Trump indicated that more than 750 people could be evacuated.
Pope Leo XIV also entrusted people suffering because of wars around the world to the Virgin Mary, invoking her as the Queen of Peace and Queen of All Saints.
He called for the humanitarian cooperation demonstrated during the Oleshky operation to become a starting point for further efforts towards dialogue and lasting peace in Ukraine.