Pope Leo XIV Calls Putin from Hospital, Urges Ceasefire for Besieged Oleshky
Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering in hospital from lung surgery, urging him to agree to a ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow delivery of food and medical assistance and the voluntary, safe evacuation of civilians, the Vatican said in a statement. "The Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region," the statement said, adding that he reaffirmed the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.
The situation in Oleshky is dire, with no humanitarian food deliveries allowed into the Russian-controlled city since May, no electricity, gas or running water, and a barely functional hospital, according to reports. Russia agreed to cooperate on aid without mentioning a ceasefire, according to a summary of the call.
The 71-year-old pope was diagnosed with lung cancer on Tuesday and underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. His doctors said he has shown "continued improvement" and that his recovery allows him to carry out his daily activities on his own. He is expected to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday from the hospital or the Vatican. (GSM, based on the Vatican statement and New York Post reporting)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 莫斯科圣瓦西里大教堂。 Photo by A.Savin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
