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Pope Urges Putin Ceasefire in Oleshky to Aid Civilians

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 10:17 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Pope Urges Ceasefire

Pope Leo XIV urged President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Oleshky on Oct. 16, 2026.
The truce would allow food, medicine and voluntary evacuation for about 2,000 trapped civilians.
The Kremlin said Putin backed the Vatican plan and would cooperate to deliver supplies.
UN rights chief Volker Türk called the situation desperate and urged Russia to permit civilian evacuations.

Summary

Pope Undergoes Surgery

Pope Leo XIV underwent lung surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung on Oct 13.
Surgeons confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the most common non-small cell lung cancer, during the operation.
He resumed duties on Oct 15, concelebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel and reading papal documents.
He plans to lead the Angelus on Oct 18, though the Vatican has not confirmed the location.

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Pope Urges Ceasefire

Pope Leo XIV urged President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Oleshky on Oct. 16, 2026.
The truce would allow food, medicine and voluntary evacuation for about 2,000 trapped civilians.
The Kremlin said Putin backed the Vatican plan and would cooperate to deliver supplies.
UN rights chief Volker Türk called the situation desperate and urged Russia to permit civilian evacuations.

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