On Wednesday afternoon, Pope Leo XIV spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing especially on the war in Ukraine and the need to facilitate humanitarian aid where necessary.
According to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, Pope Leo “made an appeal for Russia to take a gesture that would favor peace, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to create positive contacts between the parties and seek solutions to the conflict.” Bruni also mentioned that the Holy Father “made reference to Patriarch Kirill, thanking him for the congratulations received at the beginning of his pontificate, and underlined how shared Christian values can be a light that helps to seek peace, defend life, and pursue genuine religious freedom.”
Further details of the phone call can be found here at the Vatican News website.