Pope Leo discusses humanitarian concerns in Oleshky with President Putin after surgery

Pope Leo held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin from a hospital on Friday, a few days after undergoing lung cancer surgery. During the call, the Vatican said the pontiff voiced "deep concern" about the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in Ukraine's Kherson region where around 2,000 civilians remain and supply routes for food and medicine are blocked. Leo called for a local ceasefire to enable safe evacuation of civilians and delivery of aid.

"The Vatican's intention to help alleviate the dire humanitarian situation" was supported by Putin, according to a Kremlin statement. The conversation was only the second phone call Pope Leo has made since his election. On the same day, he led a Mass in a makeshift chapel on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Hospital, attended by off-duty medical staff. The Vatican reported that he showed "steady improvement" after part of his lung was removed earlier in the week and that he is now able to move and breathe independently. Leo thanked the hospital staff during his homily and announced that he will recite the Angelus prayers on Sunday, marking his first public appearance since the operation. Ongoing medical tests, including blood work and a chest X-ray, are being reviewed to determine whether further treatment is required. The pope’s scheduled engagements remain postponed until at least October 20, and it is uncertain whether his planned Latin America trip in November will proceed, though preparations for the visit continue.