Pope speaks to Putin and denounces attacks as he recovers from lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV gave strong indications on Friday that he was recovering well from lung cancer surgery and was very much in charge of running the Catholic Church, speaking on the phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin, meeting top aides and celebrating Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel.

The Vatican said that during the call with Mr Putin, “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”.

The statement added that Leo “reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace”.

The statement was significant, showing Leo was well enough to conduct official diplomatic business from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, was keeping up with world events and was continuing to promote his message of peace as he recovers from surgery.

Also on Friday the Vatican released the first images of Leo since his lung cancer surgery, showing him celebrating Mass, as doctors said tests confirmed the “continued improvement” in his recovery.

The photos show Leo standing up at the altar in green vestments celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel that has been set up for him in Gemelli hospital.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Leo presided alone over the liturgy, distributing Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes present.

He also delivered a homily in which he thanked the hospital 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,” Mr Bruni said.

“His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own,” said the medical update signed by Leo’s personal physician Dr Luigi Carbone and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, Dr Stefano Margaritora.

Even as questions swirled about what his cancer means for the future of his young pontificate, there were signs on Friday that it was all systems go. The Vatican on Friday published the names of journalists accredited to fly on Leo’s plane with him during his November 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

Leo’s ability to make the trip has been in question since his diagnosis, and the Vatican can change plans at any time. But the posting of the media list signalled that at least on an organisational level, the trip was going ahead.

Mr Bruni confirmed Leo would deliver the traditional noontime Angelus prayer on Sunday, but it was not clear whether he would do it from the hospital or back at the Vatican.

Vatican media personnel were seen at the Gemelli hospital installing cables for a possible live broadcast, as has happened before when past popes have been treated in hospital.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, earlier said a recitation of the noontime prayer on Sunday from the hospital was a possibility, but would depend on how Leo’s post-operative recovery progresses.

Such appearances have often served as a welcome confirmation of the pope’s wellbeing for the 1.4-billion strong Catholic faithful and others.

Cardinal Parolin said on Thursday: “The question now is when he will return, under what circumstances he will return, and what the doctors say. And based on all these factors, the pope will then adjust his pontificate, if it needs to be adjusted.”

Leo had the lower lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

Doctors are still awaiting the results of tests to understand the precise molecular and genetic makeup of the cancer, whether it has spread beyond the lobe and whether any further treatment is necessary.