Pope Leo XIV has issued an urgent ceasefire appeal to Vladimir Putin in a phone call from hospital, where he is recovering after undergoing lung cancer surgery earlier this week.
During the call with the Russian President on Friday, the Pontiff expressed "deep concern" over the humanitarian crisis in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, according to the Vatican.
The Vatican said the Pope "called for a ceasefire to allow the entry of first aid, food supplies into the town and safe evacuation of the civilian population."
Vatican statement on the call
In a statement, the Vatican 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."
"Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace," the Vatican concluded.
The call marks the second conversation between Leo and Putin, who previously spoke in June 2025.
Recovery after surgery
The Pope underwent a 90-minute operation on Tuesday at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove part of his right lung, where he is expected to remain for about a week.
He has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of the disease. The 71-year-old led Mass and distributed Communion in a chapel set up for him on the 10th floor of the hospital, marking his first public appearance since the surgery.
Spokesman Matteo Bruni said: "In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff-doctors, nurses, and orderlies-for the work they do every day caring for patients in their frailty, and especially for what they have done and continue to do for him."
Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora confirmed that the Pope "underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray this morning, which confirmed the steady improvement in his overall condition".
Upcoming travel plans
Leo announced the discovery of the small, localised nodule during his weekly Sunday noon prayer in St Peter's Square. He entered the hospital through the main entrance on Tuesday, waving to supporters gathered to greet him.
The Pope, elected during the conclave in May 2025, is due to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru next month. Peru is a country he knows well, having first arrived there as a missionary in the 1980s, later serving as a bishop and acquiring citizenship.
