On Friday, October 16, 2026, Pope Leo XIV telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge dialogue, peace, and a ceasefire in Ukraine, specifically requesting a humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky

The ongoing war launched by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Pope Leo XIV began his Africa tour and, when asked about Donald Trump’s attacks on him over the Iran war, declared that he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and would keep preaching peace.