Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s mediation in humanitarian issues related to the Ukraine war in a first phone call with Pope Leo XIV.

Putin advocated for the deepening of relations with the Holy See, which he said were based on “shared spiritual and ethical values,” the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

The Vatican stated later that the conversation “particularly focused on the situation in Ukraine and peace.”

The pope called on Russia to make a gesture promoting peace and emphasized the importance of dialogue between the parties and the search for solutions to the conflict, according to the Holy See.

They also discussed the humanitarian situation and the necessity of providing aid where needed.

According to a Kremlin statement, Putin wished the new pope success and conveyed congratulations from the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.

Leo XIV has clearly condemned the war as an act of aggression and called for its end. His predecessor, Francis, was often criticized for calling for peace without distinguishing between aggressor and victim.

Putin complains about Ukraine’s church policy

Putin asked the leader of the Catholic Church to advocate for religious freedom in Ukraine. He sees this as being threatened by the ban on the former Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which was loyal to Moscow.

The Ukrainian leadership, on the other hand, views this church as a security risk because many of its bishops and priests are closely connected to Moscow.