Pope Leo holds call with Russia's Putin, expresses 'deep concern' for Oleshky

​Pope ‌Leo held ​a phone call with ‌Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, the Vatican said, ‌in which the pontiff ‌express "deep concern" for the humanitarian situation in the ⁠Russian-occupied ​Ukrainian town ⁠of Oleshky.

Leo urged Putin for ⁠a truce to ​allow the entry of ⁠first aid and food supplies ⁠into ​the town, the Vatican said, and ⁠to permit a voluntary evacuation ⁠of ⁠the civilian population.