Pope Leo urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue a truce with Ukraine during a telephone call this week, the Vatican said, as the Pope recovers from lung cancer surgery. The American Pontiff expressed "deep concern" for the humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky.
In his call with Putin, 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," the Vatican added.
Vatican statement on the call
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."
"Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace," the Vatican concluded. Leo and Putin are known to have spoken once previously, in June 2025.
Recovery after lung surgery
Pope Leo had part of his right lung removed during a 90-minute surgery on Tuesday at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he is expected to stay for around a week. He has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of the disease.
The 71-year-old presided over Mass, and distributed Communion, in a special chapel set up for him on the 10th floor of the Gemelli hospital. It was the first time he had been pictured since the surgery.
"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," said spokesman Matteo Bruni.
Condition improving and upcoming travel
Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the Pope "underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray this morning, which confirmed the steady improvement in his overall condition".
It was Leo himself who revealed the discovery of the small, localised nodule during his weekly Sunday noon prayer in St Peter's Square. Leo, who was elected during the conclave in May 2025, had walked into the hospital through the main entrance earlier on Tuesday, waving to dozens of well-wishers who had gathered to greet him.
Leo is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru next month. Peru is a country the Pope knows very well. He first arrived as a missionary in the 1980s, later serving as a bishop there and acquiring citizenship.
