The Pope speaks from the hospital with Putin about a Ukrainian city occupied by Russia

Pope Leo The Vatican press office stated that Pope Leo expressed during the call his “deep concern about the serious humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshki,” a Ukrainian city located in the Kherson region and subject to Russian occupation.

Lawon called for a ceasefire in the city, with the aim of allowing the safe evacuation of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid. This call, which is the second between Leo and Putin since the former assumed the papacy, is another indication of his return to exercising his duties, after undergoing surgery to treat lung cancer on Tuesday.

Leo also presided over a Mass on Friday, in the presence of a number of medical and nursing staff from Gemili Hospital who were off-duty, and the Vatican indicated that his condition was witnessing “steady improvement” following the removal of part of his lung earlier this week. Pictures showed the Pope standing and celebrating Mass in a temporary church in the hospital.

The Vatican also announced that the Pope will perform the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday, in his first public appearance since he began undergoing treatment.