Pope Leo has appealed directly to Russian president Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire in the occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, seeking to create a safe route for food and humanitarian supplies. The request comes as the pontiff recovers in hospital following surgery for lung cancer and marks his first major diplomatic intervention since the operation.
The Vatican said the pope expressed deep concern about the worsening humanitarian conditions in Oleshky during a telephone conversation with Mr Putin on Friday. He also reaffirmed the Holy See’s willingness to support initiatives aimed at securing peace in Ukraine.
Pope Leo asks Putin to permit humanitarian access
According to the Vatican, Pope Leo urged Russia’s president to support a temporary ceasefire that would allow aid deliveries into Oleshky. The town, located in Ukraine’s Kherson region, has been under Russian control since February 2022 and is facing serious shortages of food and medical supplies.
Oleshky had a pre-war population of approximately 24,000 people. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine estimates that around 1,700 residents remain, including 47 children. The figures underline the scale of the humanitarian challenge facing civilians who have stayed in the town during the conflict.
Russia has acknowledged critical difficulties involving food and medical supplies in Oleshky. Moscow has blamed Ukraine for obstructing deliveries, while the Vatican’s intervention focused on the urgent need to ensure that civilians can receive essential assistance.
A renewed diplomatic appeal from the Vatican
Pope Leo and Vladimir Putin previously spoke by telephone in June 2025. Friday’s call represents a renewed effort by the Vatican to keep humanitarian concerns at the centre of international discussions over the war.
The pope’s appeal does not amount to a wider peace agreement, but a local ceasefire could help aid agencies and authorities assess needs and deliver vital supplies. In conflict zones, even limited pauses in fighting can be important for protecting civilians, moving medical resources and reducing the risk to humanitarian workers.
First images released after Pope Leo’s cancer surgery
The Vatican also released the first images of Pope Leo since he underwent surgery at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic. The photographs showed him celebrating Mass and standing unaided, offering the clearest public indication so far of his recovery.
The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, described as the most common form of lung cancer. Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during an operation on Tuesday.
A medical bulletin issued on Friday said blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed steady improvement in his overall condition. It added that his post-operative recovery was allowing him to complete normal daily activities independently.
The Vatican said Pope Leo is expected to lead the traditional noon prayer on Sunday. Preparations are also continuing for his planned November visit to South America, although his medical recovery will remain closely watched.
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What happens next?
The immediate priority is whether a ceasefire can be arranged to permit the safe movement of humanitarian aid into Oleshky. The Vatican has not indicated whether Russia or Ukraine has formally accepted the proposal.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo’s recovery will continue alongside his public duties. His decision to raise the plight of Oleshky during convalescence demonstrates the importance the Holy See places on civilian protection and humanitarian access in the continuing war.
Frequently asked questions
What did Pope Leo ask Vladimir Putin to do?
He asked Mr Putin to permit a ceasefire that would allow food and humanitarian supplies to reach Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in Ukraine’s Kherson region.
Why is Oleshky facing a humanitarian crisis?
The town is experiencing serious shortages of food and medical supplies after years of conflict and occupation. Around 1,700 people, including 47 children, are believed to remain there.
What surgery did Pope Leo undergo?
Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung after he was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.
How is Pope Leo recovering?
The Vatican said his blood tests and chest X-ray showed steady improvement and that he could carry out normal daily activities independently.
Key takeaway: Pope Leo’s appeal combines a humanitarian call for immediate aid access in Oleshky with a renewed diplomatic commitment to peace, while his own steady recovery allows him to continue limited public and religious duties.
Image Courtesy: Vatican Media via AP
