Pope back to work and firmly in charge after surgery

Pope Leo XIV gave strong indications he is recovering well from lung cancer surgery. Back to work and firmly in charge, the Pope's first order of business was calling Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss "the grave humanitarian situation" in Ukraine.

Reporter Silvia Stellacci for The Associated Press said "Pope Leo had a phone call with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Friday and this is the first phone call with a head of state that we know of since he was hospitalised on Tuesday. During the call, according to a note released from the Vatican, Leo expressed his deep concern for the humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, calling for a ceasefire that would allow the delivery of food and medical assistance and the

safe evacuation of civilians. He also reaffirmed the Vatican commitment to promoting dialogue and peace."

Photos of the Pope inside Gemelli Hospital chapel released by the Vatican Press Office, a few days after he went into surgery, show him conducting mass. A medical report of another round of post-operative tests including an x-ray of the lungs and blood tests show the Pope's recovery is going well.