Pope Leo XIV celebrates mass at the Gemelli Polyclinic after the operation

Still hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic after surgery to remove a lung adenocarcinoma, Pope Leo XIV doesn't stop. Indeed, from his hospital room he experienced a rather intense Friday 16 October, which began with the Holy Mass celebrated at 12 in the room set up on the 10th floor and continued with a phone call to Vladimir Putin. The Vatican press office made this known. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, when asked if he would hear from the Pope, replied: "We wish him all the best. I spoke to his brother. His brother is a very good person, he is a friend of mine, and I said to him: 'Please give my best wishes'".

The Trump-Putin phone call

In the conversation with the Russian leader, the pontiff called for a truce that would allow the arrival of food and medical aid and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population from Oleshky, in the Kherson region. The Pontiff "finally reiterated the Holy See's commitment to dialogue and peace".

Also present at the Pope's mass were the medical and nursing staff of the hospital, which was off duty at the time, and of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps. In his homily the Pope thanked all the staff, doctors, nurses, orderlies, for the work they do every day taking care of the sick and their fragility and, in particular, for what they have done and do for him.