Pope Leo has urged Vladimir Putin to reconsider his ongoing attack on Ukraine and called for a truce with the neighbouring country. The Pope spoke to the Russian president by phone, asking him to step back and assess his options for the good of the world.
The Vatican confirmed the conversation took place on Friday, as the Pope continues his recovery from lung cancer surgery, from which he is showing "continued improvement" following the operation. The Vatican confirmed the pair had spoken on the phone, with the Pope expressing "deep concern" over the ongoing issues and war between the two countries.
Humanitarian concerns in Oleshky
Pope Leo said he was concerned about the humanitarian situation, specifically in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, and asked Putin to consider a truce, even if only to allow first aid and food to be delivered into the town. He also urged him to permit a voluntary evacuation of the civilian population.
A Vatican statement said: "During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population."
Recovery and return to work
The pontiff had part of his right lung removed after a cancer diagnosis on Tuesday and is set to appear in public on Sunday for the first time since the operation to lead a traditional noontime prayer. But he returned to work quicker than expected with the call to Putin.
Earlier on Friday, Pope Leo, 71, held mass and communion in a makeshift chapel set up for him on the 10th floor of Gemelli hospital in Rome, in what was the first time he had been pictured since the surgery. He delivered a homily thanking staff "for the work they do every day taking care of the sick in their fragility, and in a particular way what they had done for him", said spokesman Matteo Bruni.
Cancer diagnosis and upcoming plans
Pope Leo was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, and had a large chunk of his right lung removed in an attempt to remove all traces of the disease. Tests on the cancer, and whether it has spread beyond the lobe of the lung, are still to come back from doctors.
He is also due to fly out to South America next month in a visit that is still set to go ahead. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, said he was doing all he can to be fit for action again soon: "The question now is when he will return, under what circumstances he will return, and what the doctors say. Based on all these factors, the Pope will then adjust his pontificate, if it needs to be adjusted."
Leo revealed his condition to worshippers last Sunday, saying the lung problem had been spotted during a recent check-up.
