Pope Leo XIV is making steady progress at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following successful surgery for lung adenocarcinoma, according to the latest updates from the Vatican. The 71-year-old Pope underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors detected a small, localized nodule during recent medical examinations. His doctors now say postoperative recovery is proceeding as expected. Blood tests and a chest X-ray carried out after surgery produced results within the expected range for this type of operation. Pope Leo has begun walking around his hospital room, resumed eating normally and started respiratory physiotherapy — an important part of recovery following lung surgery. The Holy Father has also returned to prayer and liturgical life.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo concelebrated Holy Mass in a specially prepared room on the hospital’s 10th floor. He has also issued his first message since undergoing surgery. Writing to participants in a Church gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Leo thanked them warmly for their prayers and asked them to continue remembering him before God. He concluded by imparting his Apostolic Blessing. Before surgery, Pope Leo underwent extensive diagnostic examinations. Reports indicate these included a robotic bronchoscopic biopsy, a contrast-enhanced CT scan and a PET scan. During the operation, tissue analysis confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma and surgeons removed the lower lobe of the right lung using a video-assisted technique. But one major question remains unanswered. The Vatican has not yet announced the final pathological stage of the cancer. Detailed examination of the removed tissue and lymph nodes will determine whether the disease was completely confined to the lung and whether any additional treatment will be necessary. That means it remains too early to say that Pope Leo is completely cancer-free. Attention is also turning toward his ambitious November apostolic journey to South America. The Vatican’s official schedule still lists visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6–17. For now, no cancellation has been announced. Whether the demanding journey can proceed as scheduled will ultimately depend on the Holy Father’s recovery and medical evaluation. As Pope Leo walks, prays and celebrates Mass again, Catholics around the world continue accompanying him with one prayer: A full and peaceful recovery.
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