Pope Makes First Public Appearance After Surgery and Cancer Diagnosis

On Friday, the Pope telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin from the hospital to call for a ceasefire in the Russian‑occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, where thousands have been left without food and water.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said, “The fact that he accepted the call and spoke with the Pope may, I hope, be a sign that the Pope’s request will indeed be carried out.”

The Kremlin responded, noting that “The Vatican’s intention to help create the conditions necessary to ensure the safety of the town’s population and to organise vital supplies has been supported,” without specifically referencing a ceasefire.

It added, “It has been agreed to cooperate on this matter.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, also appealed to address what he described as a desperate situation in Oleshky.

The Pope’s doctors reported on Friday that tests showed a steady improvement in his general condition since the operation.

A chest X‑ray indicated good recovery of the operated lung, his doctors said.

The Vatican explained that the entire lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung was removed “to ensure the procedure was radical” following the surgery.

The Vatican earlier said, “After the operation, the Pope awoke normally and returned after a brief period of observation to his room,” and that he spent a peaceful night at the hospital.

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