Pope Leo XIV is recovering well after undergoing surgery for lung cancer earlier this week, with doctors reporting normal postoperative test results and a chest X-ray showing good recovery of the operated lung. The 71-year-old pontiff has resumed limited official work from his hospital room in Rome, two days after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung following the discovery of a cancerous growth.
In its latest medical bulletin on Thursday, the Vatican said the Pope's recovery was progressing as expected, with routine examinations producing reassuring results. Doctors said he was able to carry out daily activities independently and had undergone physiotherapy involving a full range of physical movements. The update marked a further improvement in his condition after Tuesday's operation at Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, where surgeons removed the affected portion of his lung.
The Pope's personal physician, Dr Luigi Carbone, and Gemelli Hospital's head of thoracic surgery, Professor Stefano Margaritora, said the medical examinations indicated satisfactory postoperative progress. "The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung," the doctors said, adding that the pontiff's overall recovery was proceeding according to expectations.
The Vatican also confirmed that Leo had resumed handling official documents and had met Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, a senior Vatican official, while continuing his recovery. He celebrated Mass for the second consecutive day in a specially prepared chapel near his hospital room on the tenth floor of the hospital.
๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
Pope Leo underwent thoracic surgery on Tuesday afternoon after medical examinations identified a small, localised nodule in his right lung. During the operation, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the lung using a video-assisted technique. An examination of the removed tissue confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, which doctors had suspected following preliminary investigations.
The procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes, although the Pope spent about three hours in the operating room, including preparation and postoperative care. The Vatican subsequently announced that the surgery had been completed successfully without complications.
The diagnosis has prompted concern across the Catholic Church, particularly because Leo, who was elected in May 2025, had generally been regarded as physically active and in good health. The first American-born pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has maintained a demanding schedule of religious ceremonies, meetings and international engagements since assuming leadership of the Church.
The Pope had personally disclosed the discovery of the lung nodule during his Sunday appearance, explaining that doctors had identified the abnormality at an early stage and recommended surgery. His decision to publicly discuss the condition marked an unusually direct approach to papal health disclosures, which have historically been closely controlled by the Vatican.
๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐
Despite the encouraging postoperative developments, doctors are awaiting further pathological examinations to determine the precise characteristics of the cancer and whether it has spread beyond the removed section of the lung. The results will help establish whether the surgery alone is sufficient or whether additional treatment may be necessary.
The Vatican has not disclosed the size of the tumour or confirmed whether nearby lymph nodes were affected. Both factors are important in assessing the stage of lung cancer and determining the most appropriate course of treatment.
Lung adenocarcinoma develops in cells that line the lungs and is classified as a type of non-small-cell lung cancer. Treatment depends on several factors, including the size and location of the tumour, whether the disease has spread and the patient's overall health. Surgery can be an effective treatment for localised disease, particularly when a tumour is detected early and can be completely removed.
However, the successful removal of a cancerous growth does not by itself establish that the patient is cancer-free. Further laboratory findings and follow-up examinations are necessary before doctors can make a definitive assessment of the disease and its likely progression.
The Vatican has indicated that decisions concerning additional treatment will be made after the outstanding medical investigations are completed.
๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
Thursday's update suggested that the pontiff was gradually returning to a limited routine despite remaining under medical supervision. According to the Vatican, he had a comfortable night, got out of bed and ate breakfast before undergoing scheduled examinations.
His ability to walk independently, participate in physiotherapy and resume administrative work was presented as evidence of satisfactory recovery. Doctors have emphasised the importance of respiratory exercises and gradual physical movement following thoracic surgery, which can help restore lung function and reduce the risk of postoperative complications.
The Pope's decision to resume some official responsibilities also indicated that the Vatican's day-to-day administration was continuing during his hospitalisation. Nevertheless, his public schedule remains suspended, and doctors are expected to monitor his condition before permitting a return to more demanding engagements.
All papal audiences and public appearances have been cancelled until October 20, with the Vatican indicating that he is likely to remain hospitalised for at least a week following the operation.
๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฑ๐๐น๐ฒ
The Pope's health has also raised questions about his forthcoming international engagements, particularly a planned pastoral visit to South America from November 6 to 17. The itinerary includes Peru, Uruguay and Argentina, countries with substantial Catholic populations and longstanding connections to the Vatican.
For now, the Holy See has announced no changes to the proposed journey. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni has referred to the Pope's earlier remarks expressing his intention to undertake the visit, although the final decision is likely to depend on his recovery and medical advice.
The trip would involve long-distance travel, multiple public appearances and an intensive schedule of religious and diplomatic engagements. Any decision on whether the Pope can undertake such activities will therefore require consideration of his postoperative condition and the findings of further cancer-related examinations.
๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐
The Pope's surgery has prompted messages of support from political and religious leaders across the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the pontiff a full and speedy recovery after the Vatican confirmed that the operation had been successful.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, United Nations Secretary-General Antรณnio Guterres and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among those who conveyed their prayers and good wishes.
The developments have also drawn attention to the challenges facing the Catholic Church when a serving pontiff undergoes treatment for a serious illness. Although Leo has continued to perform some administrative and religious duties, his longer-term schedule will depend on medical assessments that have yet to be completed.
For the Vatican, Thursday's medical bulletin provided reassurance that the immediate recovery from surgery was proceeding satisfactorily. The more consequential questions concerning the stage of the cancer, the need for further treatment and the Pope's ability to resume his full schedule will become clearer only after the outstanding examinations are completed.