Pope calls Russian president Vladimir Putin urging Ukraine truce days after lung cancer surgery

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.

He delivered a homily thanking staff "for the work they do every day taking care of the sick in their fragility, and in a particular way what they had done for him", said spokesman Matteo Bruni.

The Pope's doctors said he was carrying out "normal daily activities completely on his own". It followed a statement on Wednesday which said his recovery was going as expected.

Pope Leo had part of his right lung removed during Tuesday's procedure and was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma - the most common form of the lung cancer.

The entire lower lobe of his right lung was cut away to try to remove all traces of the disease.

Tests on the cancer - and whether it has spread beyond the lobe of the lung - are still to come back.

The Pope had been expected to remain in hospital for about a week, but his spokesman said on Friday that an exact discharge date remains unclear.

The Pope's staff were seen laying cables for a potential live broadcast - something previous pontiffs have done while being treated there.

On Thursday, officials said Leo had worked from his hospital room, held a meeting with his chief of staff, and completed some respiratory physio.

In a further sign the Vatican is pressing on with business as usual, it has also published names of journalists who've been accredited to fly with him to South America next month.

Leo is said to be keen for the trip go ahead. He was a bishop and missionary in Peru for many years.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, struck a positive but measured note on Friday.

"The question now is when he will return, under what circumstances he will return, and what the doctors say," Parolin was quoted as saying by Italy's LaPresse and ANSA news agencies.

"Based on all these factors, the Pope will then adjust his pontificate, if it needs to be adjusted," Parolin added.

Leo revealed his condition to worshippers last Sunday, saying the lung problem had been spotted during a recent check-up.

He told people gathered in St Peter's Square that doctors discovered a "well-defined lung nodule, detected at a very early stage and clearly localised".

The American pontiff, who was elected in May 2025, has no previously known health issues and is believed to be physically active, enjoying tennis and swimming at his Castel Gandolfo retreat this summer.

(c) Sky News 2026: Pope calls Russian president Vladimir Putin urging Ukraine truce days after lung cancer surgery