Pope Leo XIV called for a humanitarian ceasefire in a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city during a telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, who agreed to cooperate with Vatican relief efforts as the pontiff continued recovering from surgery in Rome.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Pope Leo XIV appealed directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Oct. 16, for a ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, seeking safe passage for humanitarian supplies and civilian evacuations as residents face worsening shortages of food, medicine and other essential services.
The Vatican confirmed that the 71-year-old pontiff initiated the telephone conversation from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he is recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. Despite remaining hospitalized, Leo continued carrying out diplomatic and religious responsibilities, including discussions addressing the humanitarian consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
According to the Vatican’s official account of the conversation, Leo “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 Holy See added that the pope reaffirmed the Vatican’s commitment to pursuing dialogue and peace as fighting continues in southern Ukraine.
The Kremlin subsequently announced that Putin supported Vatican efforts to establish humanitarian arrangements for Oleshky, which has remained under Russian control since the early weeks of the invasion in February 2022.
Russian officials said the two sides agreed to cooperate on delivering essential supplies and establishing conditions that could protect civilians. However, the Kremlin did not explicitly announce a ceasefire or provide a timetable for implementing the proposed measures.
According to Reuters’ reporting on the Russian response, Putin expressed support for the Vatican’s humanitarian proposal while blaming Ukrainian authorities for the deteriorating conditions in the city. Ukraine has disputed Russia’s account, accusing occupying forces of obstructing access and preventing residents from leaving safely.
Oleshky, situated near the Dnipro River across from the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson, has experienced increasingly severe humanitarian conditions because of continued military operations and restricted access to surrounding areas.
Approximately 1,700 civilians, including 47 children, are believed to remain in the city, according to figures cited in additional reporting on the Vatican’s intervention. Many residents are elderly, disabled or otherwise unable to travel through dangerous evacuation routes.
Food deliveries have reportedly been interrupted for months, leaving some residents dependent on limited supplies, informal assistance and small quantities delivered through improvised means.
A Washington Post investigation into conditions in Oleshky described widespread food shortages, dangerous escape routes and medical facilities struggling to function. Residents who managed to leave reported navigating minefields and areas exposed to drone attacks while attempting to reach safer territory.
The United Nations has also expressed concern about the conditions facing civilians trapped in the city.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the humanitarian situation Friday as “desperate” and called on Russia to facilitate safe civilian evacuations.
The United Nations has emphasized that civilians must be protected under international humanitarian law and should have access to essential supplies, medical assistance and safe evacuation when they choose to leave conflict areas.
Leo’s intervention represented a direct appeal to Putin at a time when negotiations over wider arrangements to end the war remain unresolved. The request focused specifically on Oleshky rather than demanding an immediate nationwide ceasefire, potentially allowing the two sides to pursue limited humanitarian arrangements despite their broader disagreements.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed that the initiative originated with the pope, underscoring Leo’s continued involvement in international diplomacy during his hospitalization.
The telephone conversation also provided a public indication that the pontiff remains capable of performing significant official duties following Tuesday’s lung operation.
Doctors at Gemelli Hospital have reported steady improvement since surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung Oct. 13. The procedure was performed after medical examinations revealed a small pulmonary nodule that was subsequently identified as adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer.
According to the Vatican’s medical update following surgery, surgeons used a video-assisted technique to remove the affected lung tissue. The operation lasted approximately 90 minutes, and medical officials reported no complications.
An examination of tissue during surgery confirmed the cancer diagnosis. Additional laboratory analysis remains underway to determine whether malignant cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes and whether further treatment will be necessary.
The results will help physicians assess the disease’s stage and consider whether chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other treatment may be appropriate.
On Thursday, Leo’s medical team reported that imaging showed “good recovery of the lung that underwent surgery,” with the pontiff able to perform routine activities independently.
The following day, doctors reported “a steady improvement in his general condition,” indicating that his recovery continued to progress without significant postoperative complications.
Medical officials said Leo was now conducting “his normal daily activities completely independently,” although he remained under supervision and continued participating in respiratory physiotherapy.
The Vatican’s updates on his recovery have not established a discharge date. Doctors originally anticipated approximately one week of hospitalization, and the Holy See has not announced a change to that schedule.
Earlier Friday, Leo celebrated Mass in a room on the hospital’s 10th floor, marking one of his first publicly documented religious activities since the operation.
Photographs released by the Vatican showed the Chicago-born pontiff standing at a temporary altar wearing green vestments, accompanied by his private secretary, the Peruvian priest Edgard Rimaycuna.
Hospital employees, including medical personnel, nursing staff and security officers, participated in the service.
According to the Vatican press office, Leo “celebrated with the medical and nursing staff of Gemelli, some people who were present there, who were clearly off duty at that moment.”
The pontiff used the gathering to express appreciation for the medical professionals overseeing his recovery and for their broader service to patients.
“He thanked all the staff, doctors, nurses, orderlies, for their service and their closeness to people, for their care of people’s fragility, and in particular, evidently, for the care, attention, and treatment given to him in these days,” the press office said.
The first photographs of Leo following the operation showed him participating in the liturgy without visible respiratory assistance, although doctors have emphasized that recovery assessments and further diagnostic testing remain necessary.
The pope is also expected to lead the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer Oct. 18, although Vatican officials have not confirmed whether he will address the faithful from his hospital room or return to the Vatican.
The Angelus is traditionally delivered from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where crowds gather to hear the pope’s weekly reflections and receive his blessing.
Previous pontiffs have conducted the prayer from Gemelli Hospital while recovering from medical treatment.
On Feb. 6, 2005, Pope John Paul II appeared at a hospital window during treatment for respiratory complications, while an aide read the prayer.
Pope Francis similarly addressed visitors from the hospital July 11, 2021, following intestinal surgery.
“I am glad to be able to keep the Sunday Angelus appointment, even here,” Francis told those gathered outside.
Leo’s recovery has also prompted questions about his forthcoming international travel, including a planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. Vatican officials have indicated that preparations remain underway, although final decisions will depend on his medical progress.
The Holy See has continued releasing information about messages of encouragement from political and religious leaders, hospital employees and members of the public.
Among the correspondence were letters and drawings created by children receiving treatment at Gemelli, including artwork depicting a tree, sunshine and clouds bearing a dedication to the pope.
An 18-year-old patient wrote, “Better days will come for the both of us.”
A seven-year-old boy named Angelo, who said he had spent 36 days on the hospital’s 10th floor following an operation on his head, also sent a personal message.
“My mother and I pray for you every night,” Angelo wrote. “I hope you get well soon.”
The messages accompanied prayers and expressions of support from Catholics and other religious communities following the announcement of Leo’s cancer diagnosis.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding further treatment, Friday’s call with Putin demonstrated the pope’s continued attention to international humanitarian concerns.
The Vatican has repeatedly advocated negotiated solutions to armed conflicts, prisoner exchanges and assistance for civilians affected by warfare. Leo’s appeal concerning Oleshky follows that diplomatic tradition while addressing an immediate crisis in a city largely cut off from reliable food supplies and medical care.
Putin’s reported willingness to cooperate with the Vatican creates an opening for humanitarian discussions, although neither Moscow nor the Holy See has announced a formal agreement guaranteeing aid deliveries or civilian evacuations.
For residents of Oleshky, the practical significance of the conversation will depend on whether the proposed cooperation produces safe access for relief organizations and permits civilians to leave without encountering military dangers.
As Leo continues his recovery in Rome, the Vatican’s immediate diplomatic objective remains securing a pause in fighting sufficient to bring food and medical assistance into the occupied Ukrainian city and allow residents who wish to evacuate to do so safely.
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