Pope Leo speaks with Putin from hospital after lung cancer surgery
Sandego.net – Pope Leo speaks with Putin by telephone from a Rome hospital, urging humanitarian action for civilians in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky just days after surgery for lung cancer.
The pontiff raised alarm about conditions in Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, where Ukrainian authorities say about 2,000 civilians remain trapped. Food, medicine and other essential supplies have become harder to deliver after access routes were cut off.
During the conversation, Pope Leo appealed for a localized ceasefire to allow residents to leave safely and to permit humanitarian aid to reach people who remain in the city. Ukrainians have previously called on the pope to use his influence to highlight the crisis.
“Deep concern”
The Vatican said the pope expressed deep concern for Oleshky’s population. Ukraine has accused Russia of creating a humanitarian catastrophe in the city, while the Kremlin said Putin supported the Vatican’s goal of reducing civilian suffering.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s secretary of state, said he hoped Putin would respond to the pope’s request with practical measures.
“I hope that faced with a request from the Holy Father, … President Putin agrees to implement what the Pope asked of him.”
Pope Leo’s recovery at Gemelli Hospital
The call was only the second between Pope Leo and Putin since the start of Leo’s papacy. It also marked a significant return to limited work for the 71-year-old pontiff after Tuesday’s operation.
Leo had part of a lung removed as part of treatment for lung cancer. The Vatican said his condition was continuing to improve and that he could carry out normal daily activities without assistance.
On Friday, he celebrated a midday Mass with off-duty doctors and nurses at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Hospital images showed him standing while leading the service in a temporary chapel.
In his homily, the pope thanked medical workers for caring for him and for others confronting illness. The Mass was held in a room on the hospital’s 10th floor, where accommodation is reserved for a pope receiving medical care.
Medical staff said Leo continued respiratory physiotherapy and underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray on Friday morning. The Vatican said he was fully independent in both movement and breathing.
Further post-operative tests are expected to determine whether the cancer was completely removed and whether additional treatment will be needed. Those results have not been released.
Angelus appearance expected Sunday
The Vatican said Leo is expected to recite the Angelus on Sunday, potentially his first public appearance since surgery. The prayer is normally delivered from the Vatican, though officials did not say where or how Sunday’s appearance would take place.
The pope’s diagnosis and surgery surprised many at the Vatican, where he had been regarded as active and in good health before the medical news emerged.
His scheduled engagements have been cancelled through October 20. It remains unclear whether he can make a planned Latin America trip from November 6 to 17, although Vatican preparations continue and a list of traveling journalists was released Friday.
FAQ: What Pope Leo’s call with Putin means
Why did Pope Leo call Vladimir Putin?
He appealed for a localized ceasefire in Oleshky so civilians could evacuate safely and humanitarian organizations could deliver food, medicine and other necessities.
What is known about Pope Leo’s health?
He is recovering after surgery that removed part of a lung during treatment for lung cancer. The Vatican says his condition is steadily improving, while further tests will guide any next steps in treatment.
When will Pope Leo appear in public again?
The Vatican expects him to recite the Angelus on Sunday, although the format and location have not been announced.
