Pope urges Putin to allow ceasefire for aid to occupied Ukrainian city

Pope Leo XIV urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky, Ukraine, to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations, The Korea Times reported. The pope made the appeal by telephone while recovering from lung surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

Residents of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, face shortages of food and medicine amid fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces, according to The Korea Times. The Vatican said the pope sought access for humanitarian assistance and safe evacuations for civilians who wish to leave.

According to The Korea Times, a Vatican statement described the pope's request for a halt in fighting so food and medical supplies could reach Oleshky. The statement also emphasized that civilian departures should be voluntary and safe.

The Kremlin separately confirmed the telephone conversation. In its account, it blamed Kyiv for the humanitarian conditions and said Putin wished the pope a speedy recovery, the newspaper reported.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also called on Russia to allow civilians to evacuate, according to the report.

The pope, 71, underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. His doctors reported that his health was improving, but results needed to establish whether the cancer had spread remained pending.

The Vatican released two photographs Friday showing the pope celebrating Mass with hospital staff on Gemelli's 10th floor. The Vatican press office had initially estimated his recovery would take about a week, The Korea Times reported.

The pope was expected to lead Sunday's Angelus prayer, though the location had not been confirmed. No revised hospital discharge date had been announced, according to The Korea Times.