Pope Calls Putin from Hospital Bed for Ukraine Ceasefire

Days after surgery to remove part of his lung, Pope Leo XIV made an extraordinary phone call from his hospital bed to ask Vladimir Putin for help.

The 71-year-old pope, still recovering from cancer surgery, called the Russian president Friday to urge a ceasefire in Oleshky, a city in Ukraine's Kherson region. He specifically asked for safe passage to deliver food and medicine to civilians trapped without basic necessities.

The situation in Oleshky is severe. No humanitarian food deliveries have reached the Russian-controlled city since May, and residents have no electricity, gas, or running water. The local hospital is barely functioning.

Despite undergoing major surgery just days ago to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the pope appears to be making a swift recovery. The Vatican released photos showing him standing at an altar, celebrating Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel.

His medical team reported "continued improvement" and said he can complete all his normal daily activities on his own. Doctors expect him to leave the hospital within a week, a typical recovery timeline for this type of surgery.

The Bright Side

The pope's determination to advocate for peace while recovering from cancer surgery highlights both his personal resilience and the urgent need for humanitarian action. His doctors say he's recovering so well that he still plans to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru starting November 6 as originally scheduled.

The Vatican emphasized its commitment to promoting dialogue and peace through the call. Putin's office responded that Russia supports "the Vatican's intention to help create conditions for ensuring the safety of the local population and facilitating the delivery of essential supplies."

The pope is expected to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer service on Sunday, either from the hospital or back at the Vatican.

While the Kremlin and Ukraine dispute responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky, the pope's intervention brings renewed international attention to the plight of civilians caught in the conflict. His personal sacrifice of making the call while recovering demonstrates that even in moments of personal challenge, compassion and advocacy for others remain possible.