Pope Leo XIV Urges Putin to Halt Fighting in Oleshky as 71-Year-Old Recovers From Lung Surgery
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 16
Pope Leo XIV Urges Putin to Halt Fighting in Oleshky as 71-Year-Old Recovers From Lung Surgery
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 16
Summary
Pope Leo XIV called Vladimir Putin from his hospital room to press for a ceasefire in Oleshky, seeking safe civilian evacuations and access for food and medical aid.
Oleshky’s humanitarian crisis has deepened under Russian control: no aid deliveries have entered since May, and the city lacks electricity, gas and running water while its hospital barely functions.
Putin told the pope that Kyiv was responsible for the situation, but the Kremlin said he backed Vatican efforts to improve civilian safety and facilitate essential supplies.
The 71-year-old pontiff, who had the lower lobe of his right lung removed after a cancer diagnosis Tuesday, was shown celebrating Mass in hospital as doctors reported continued improvement.
The Vatican still expects Leo to deliver Sunday’s Angelus and to begin a Nov. 6 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru as planned.