Pope Leo Calls President Putin On Phone, Asks For Truce

 Pope Leo Calls President Putin On Phone, Asks For Truce (Photos)

🇻🇦 The Pope spoke to 🇷🇺 Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday and urged a truce with Ukraine as he continued his recovery from lung cancer surgery, the Vatican said.

Pope Leo is showing "continued improvement" following his operation, it said.

The first images of the pontiff were released following the procedure to remove part of his right lung. He will appear in public on Sunday for the first time since the operation to lead a traditional noontime prayer.

In a telephone call with Mr Putin, the Pope expressed "deep concern" for the humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, and called for a truce to allow the entry of first aid and food supplies into the town, the Vatican added.

He also urged Mr Putin to permit a voluntary evacuation of the civilian population.

A Vatican statement said: "During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population."

Earlier on Friday, Pope Leo, 71, held mass and communion in a makeshift chapel set up for him on the 10th floor of Gemelli hospital in Rome. It was the first time he had been pictured since the surgery.

🔗 Sky News | | Kremlin