Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin from his hospital bed to urge a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged city of Oleshky so food and medical supplies can enter and residents can leave safely, Vatican News reported. The Holy See Press Office said the pope raised "the grave humanitarian situation in the city," which lies along the Kherson front, and reiterated the Holy See's commitment to promoting dialogue and peace. Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Leo initiated the call and asked Putin to agree to a pause in fighting; roughly 2,000 civilians in Oleshky require safe routes out, the Holy See said. Oleshky was captured by Russian forces early in the 2022 invasion and once had about 24,000 residents; the city has faced months of shortages of food, water, heating and electricity. Leo made the call while hospitalized after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung for lung adenocarcinoma; doctors discharged him in good condition and said he could be "fully recovered" in about 10 days and likely to make his November trip to Latin America.
