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Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering from surgery in the hospital to urge him to call a ceasefire in the city of Oleshky in Ukraine.
“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,” the Vatican said in a statement.
“Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace,” the Vatican added.
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Pope Leo called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering from lung surgery to discuss Ukraine. (Vatican Media via AP; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The situation in Oleshky is dire with no humanitarian food deliveries allowed in the Russian-controlled city since May. It also has no electricity, gas, or running water and the hospital is barely functional.
The pope was diagnosed with lung cancer on Tuesday and underwent a procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
The 71-year-old remained in the hospital recovering on Friday, but seemed to be doing well.
Along with the call, he also held Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel and the Vatican released the first images of him since his surgery, which showed him standing at the altar.
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The Vatican on Friday shared pictures of the pope celebrating the Roman Catholic Mass in the hospital where he is recovering. (EV/Vatican Media/ Abaca/Sipa USA/Sipa via AP Images)
His doctors said she showed “continued improvement.”
“His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own,” a medical update signed by his personal physician Dr. Luigi Carbone and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said.
He is expected to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer service on Sunday either from the hospital or the Vatican.
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A man holds a placard last month reading “Mass starvation in occupied Oleshky. Americans! Make Russia agree to a humanitarian corridor” as he demonstrates outside Kyiv City Hall amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP via Getty Images)
He is also still expected to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru starting on Nov. 6 as planned.
The Kremlin blames Ukraine for the situation in Oleshky with Putin giving the pope a “detailed explanation regarding the Kyiv regime’s responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation there,” the Kremlin said.
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Putin also supports “the Vatican’s intention to help create conditions for ensuring the safety of the local population and facilitating the delivery of essential supplies,” the Kremin added.