Pope Leo speaks with Putin from hospital, just days after lung cancer surgery

By Barbie Latza Nadeau and Christopher Lamb, CNN

Rome (CNN) — Pope Leo spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin from hospital on Friday, just days after his lung cancer surgery, and expressed his concern about the “grave humanitarian situation” in a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city.

During the call, the Vatican said Leo expressed “deep concern” about the conditions in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city in the Kherson region where Ukrainian authorities say around 2,000 civilians remain and supply routes for food and medicine are blocked.

Leo, to whom Ukrainians have appealed for help, called for a local ceasefire to allow for civilians to be safely evacuated and aid to be delivered.

Putin “supported” the Vatican’s intention to help alleviate the dire humanitarian situation, the Kremlin said in a statement. Ukraine has accused Russia of “deliberately creating a humanitarian catastrophe” in Oleshky.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See secretary of state, told reporters he hoped Putin would act on the pope’s requests.

“I hope that faced with a request from the Holy Father, … President Putin agrees to implement what the Pope asked of him,” Parolin said.

The pope’s call with Putin, only the second in Leo’s papacy, offers another indication that he is returning to work after undergoing lung cancer surgery on Tuesday.

Leo led Mass at midday on Friday with off-duty medical and nursing staff from the Gemelli Hospital present as the Vatican said he showed “steady improvement” after having part of his lung removed earlier in the week. Pictures of the pontiff showed him standing up and celebrating mass in the hospital’s makeshift chapel.

The pope thanked staff for their work caring for him and others who are sick during his homily, the Vatican said.

The Mass took place in a room on the 10th floor of the hospital where a suite of rooms is set aside for any time a pope is admitted for medical treatment.

The Vatican also said that Pope Leo will recite the traditional Angelus prayers on Sunday in what will be his first public appearance since his treatment.

US President Donald Trump said he had spoken to the pope’s brother and asked him to pass along a message wishing Leo well.

“We wished him the best. I spoke to his brother… and I said please extend my best wishes,” Trump said.

In the latest update from the Vatican, the press office said Leo underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray on Friday morning.

The pontiff is continuing his respiratory physiotherapy sessions, doctors involved in his treatment said, adding that his recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities independently.

The 71-year-old is completely autonomous now in movement and breathing, the Vatican added.

Post-operative test results to confirm whether the pope is completely cancer-free and what, if any, treatment is needed have not been released yet.

The news of the pope’s diagnosis has been received with shock inside the Vatican, with Leo known as someone as physically active and seen to be in good health.

The pope’s engagements have been canceled until October 20 and it is not clear whether his planned trip to Latin America from November 6-17 will take place.

The Vatican, however, is continuing with preparations for the visit and on Friday posted the list of journalists traveling with the pope to report on the trip.

This story has been updated.

CNN’s Svitlana Vlasova, Issy Ronald and Sharon Braithwaite contributed reporting.

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