Pope Leo calls Putin from hospital bed to urge Ukraine ceasefire

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 03:27 · Archive

Pope Leo XIV called Vladimir Putin while recovering from lung surgery to urge a ceasefire in the blockaded Ukrainian city of Oleshky.

Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering from lung surgery in hospital to urge a ceasefire in Oleshky, a Russian-controlled city in Ukraine's Kherson region. The Vatican said the pontiff expressed 'deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation' and called for a ceasefire to allow food and medical assistance deliveries and the safe evacuation of civilians.

Oleshky faces dire conditions. No humanitarian food deliveries have been allowed into the Russian-held city since May. The city also lacks electricity, gas and running water, and its hospital is barely functional.

Pope Leo, 71, was diagnosed with lung cancer on Tuesday and underwent a procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. While recovering in hospital on Friday, he held Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel. His doctors said he showed 'continued improvement' and that 'his post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own', according to a medical update signed by his personal physician Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital.

He is expected to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer service on Sunday either from the hospital or the Vatican. The New York Post reports he is also still expected to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru starting 6 November as planned.

How it is being reported

• Pope Leo XIV calls Putin, urges ceasefire as he recovers from lung surgeryRecovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge a ceasefire in the blockaded Ukrainian city of Oleshky.New York Post · 17 Oct, 03:10
• Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine cityPope Leo called Vladimir Putin from his hospital bed to urge a ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine, where food deliveries have been blocked since May.Fox News · 17 Oct, 00:10

In this story: Pope Leo XIV · Vladimir Putin · Oleshky · Ukraine · Kherson · Gemelli

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