# Pope Leo greets Ukrainian cancer survivor

> 13-year-old Ukrainian girl Varvara greets Pope Leo XIV after recovering from cancer.
- Title: Pope Leo greets Ukrainian cancer survivor · Vaticannews
- Summary: 13-year-old Ukrainian girl Varvara greets Pope Leo XIV after recovering from cancer. Ukrainian girl Varvara, 13, greeted Pope Leo XIV at hospital after…
- Keywords: varvara, pope leo xiv, ukraine, cancer, gemelli hospital, berdyansk, castellamonte, la memoria viva, regina margherita hospital, turin, religion, world
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-10/pope-leo-xiv-greets-ukrainian-girl-cancer-survivor-gemelli.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-10-17T14:19:03.589+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: varvara, pope leo xiv, ukraine, cancer, gemelli hospital, berdyansk, castellamonte, la memoria viva, regina margherita hospital, turin, religion, world
## First meeting
13-year-old Ukrainian girl Varvara met Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square on December 31, 2025, while awaiting surgery for cancer.

> a dream come true
## Recovery news
Varvara’s MRI and CT scans confirmed her cancer recovery days after arriving in Turin from Ukraine.
## Greeting at hospital
Varvara greeted Pope Leo XIV at Gemelli Hospital as he left after discharge, giving him a framed photo of their December meeting and a stuffed toy.
## Gifts and hope
Varvara said the stuffed toy, named Basik, will accompany Pope Leo XIV on his road to recovery from cancer.
## Key takeaway

Ukrainian girl Varvara, 13, greeted Pope Leo XIV at hospital after recovering from cancer.