Pope Leo called Russian President Vladimir Putin from the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Friday, urging a ceasefire in the Kherson region's city of Oleshky. The call was made while the pontiff was recovering from lung cancer surgery, yet he remained a key figure in global diplomatic circles.
The 71‑year‑old pope had his lower right lung lobe removed on Oct. 13 after a suspected nodule was confirmed as adenocarcinoma, and doctors said his condition is improving steadily. He celebrated Mass in a makeshift chapel, standing at the altar in green vestments, and distributed Communion to medical staff and Vatican gendarmes. His personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and thoracic surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora confirmed he can carry out daily activities independently.
Oleshky, a frontline town in Kherson, has suffered heavy bombardment, with civilian shelters destroyed and shortages of food and medicine. The Vatican’s statement highlighted the grave humanitarian situation there and called for the delivery of aid and safe evacuation. In response, Putin said he would explain the Kyiv regime’s responsibility and agreed to coordinate humanitarian efforts, a move the Kremlin said marked progress.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, noted the pope’s recovery and expressed optimism, while the Vatican released the list of journalists for Leo’s November trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. The trip, initially postponed due to the pontiff’s illness, is now being prepared for, with the Vatican signalling that the pope will travel once he is cleared.
The next step will be a joint effort between the Vatican and Russian authorities to facilitate aid deliveries and civilian evacuations in Oleshky, potentially setting a precedent for a broader ceasefire. A local family, displaced by the fighting, hopes that the pope’s appeal will bring relief to their village.