Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine city
Pope Leo called Russian President Vladimir Putin from his hospital bed to press for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The pontiff is currently recovering from lung surgery. During the conversation, the Pope urged Putin to agree to a ceasefire to address a deepening food crisis and assist civilians trapped in the occupied city. The Kremlin stated that Putin blamed Kyiv for the ongoing crisis while confirming that he backs a Vatican aid initiative to help civilians in Oleshky. The Vatican announced that Pope Leo also intends to lead Sunday prayers from the hospital.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Pope Leo called Vladimir Putin from his hospital bed to urge a ceasefire in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky.
- ✓ The Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Kyiv for the crisis but backed a Vatican aid initiative to help civilians in Oleshky.
- ✓ The Vatican announced that Pope Leo will lead Sunday prayers as he recovers from lung surgery.
What changed
Pope Leo directly contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin from the hospital to push for a humanitarian ceasefire and aid coordination in Oleshky.
Live updates
-
Pope Leo Urges Putin to Ceasefire in Russian-Held Oleshky
Pope Leo called Russian President Vladimir Putin from his hospital bed to press for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The pontiff is currently recovering from lung surgery. During the conversation, the Pope urged Putin to agree to a ceasefire to address a deepening food crisis and assist civilians trapped in the occupied city. The Kremlin stated that Putin blamed Kyiv for the ongoing crisis while confirming that he backs a Vatican aid initiative to help civilians in Oleshky. The Vatican announced that Pope Leo also intends to lead Sunday prayers from the hospital.
Why it matters
Oleshky has been occupied by Russian forces since February 2022, resulting in severe hardship and a deepening food crisis for local residents. The papal intervention highlights the ongoing humanitarian toll of the conflict and the Vatican's persistent diplomatic efforts to secure aid access. Pope Leo's direct communication from the hospital demonstrates active engagement in international diplomacy despite facing his own medical recovery from lung surgery.
What is confirmed
- Pope Leo called Vladimir Putin from his hospital bed to urge a ceasefire in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky.
- The Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Kyiv for the crisis but backed a Vatican aid initiative to help civilians in Oleshky.
- The Vatican announced that Pope Leo will lead Sunday prayers as he recovers from lung surgery.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of any formal agreement or implementation regarding the Vatican aid initiative for Oleshky
- Further updates from the Vatican regarding Pope Leo's post-surgery recovery and his scheduled Sunday prayers
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (15)
- www.foxnews.com — Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos...
- help.naver.com — Futures Flat As Oil Rebounds After Trump's "Energy Ceasefire" Unravels, Memory Stocks Slide | ZeroHedge
- www.euronews.com — French debt | Euronews
- CNN — Pope Leo to lead Sunday prayers as he recovers from lung surgery, Vatican says
- AP News — First images released of Pope Leo celebrating Mass at hospital after cancer surgery
- Vatican News — Pope urges humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky in call with Russian President
- The Washington Post — Pope speaks to Putin from hospital, voices concern over Ukraine
- Reuters — Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to help civilians in Oleshky, Kremlin says
- Fox News — Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine city
- www.kyivpost.com — Pope Leo XIV Speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin ...
- jen.jiji.com — Kazakh scientist developing new cancer treatment approach
- jen.jiji.com — Netflix and its 99 problems: Shocking firings, declining stocks
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community