Recovering From Lung Surgery, Pope Leo Presses Putin on Ukraine Crisis

Pope Leo XIV has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to support a ceasefire that would allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians in a Russian-controlled Ukrainian city, as the pontiff continues to recover from lung cancer surgery in Rome.

The Vatican said the Pope spoke by telephone with Putin on Friday, October 16, expressing deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Oleshky, in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. He called for a halt in fighting to facilitate deliveries of food and medical supplies, as well as the voluntary and safe evacuation of civilians.

The appeal comes amid growing concerns about shortages of essential supplies in Oleshky, where residents are caught in the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Both sides have blamed the other for obstructing humanitarian assistance.

According to Reuters, the Kremlin said Putin had agreed to cooperate with efforts to ensure the population’s safety and organise essential supplies. However, its statement did not explicitly confirm that Russia had agreed to the ceasefire requested by the Pope.

The Vatican said Pope Leo reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue and peace. The call marked another diplomatic intervention by the pontiff over the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Pope’s engagement with Putin came as Vatican doctors reported continued improvement following surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The operation was carried out after doctors identified a cancerous growth diagnosed as lung adenocarcinoma.

In a medical update on Thursday, the Vatican said a chest X-ray showed good recovery of the operated lung and that the Pope was carrying out his daily activities independently. On Friday, he also celebrated Mass in a makeshift chapel at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital, where he is receiving care.

The Vatican has not yet announced when he will be discharged. Further medical assessments are expected to help determine the next steps in his treatment.

Despite his hospitalisation, the Pope’s phone call with Putin demonstrated that he was continuing to pursue the Vatican’s diplomatic and humanitarian efforts while recuperating. His immediate appeal focused on securing assistance and protecting civilians in Oleshky, rather than announcing a broader ceasefire agreement.

The humanitarian situation in the city remains a concern, with residents facing reported shortages of food and medicines. Whether the diplomatic intervention will lead to sustained access for aid workers and civilians remains to be seen.