Pope Leo recovering well after lung surgery, doctors say

Pope Leo XIV’s recovery from lung surgery is “progressing normally,” and he is carrying out his daily activities independently, his doctors said Oct. 15.

The update comes two days after the Pope underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where an examination during the operation confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer, as Zeale News previously reported.

“This morning, the Holy Father underwent routine checks, which yielded normal results,” his doctors, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Prof. Stefano Margaritora, said, according to an Oct. 15 report from Vatican News. “The chest X-ray showed good recovery of the lung that underwent surgery.”

The Pope continued physiotherapy, which his doctors said “included a full range of physical activities.”

Pope Leo also concelebrated Mass the morning of Oct. 15, according to the Holy See Press Office. He had also concelebrated Mass the previous afternoon in a room on the hospital’s 10th floor prepared for the liturgy, as Zeale News previously reported.

The Pope also returned to his work, meeting that afternoon with Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, the Vatican’s substitute for general affairs, the press office said.

Pope Leo first announced the discovery of the lung nodule during his Oct. 11 Angelus address, saying it “was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized.”

Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung during the Oct. 13 operation. The press office said doctors had suspected the cancer diagnosis based on examinations before the procedure.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, encouraged Catholics to pray for Pope Leo, telling Catholic News Service Oct. 14 that “God is with us and God has a plan.” Pointing to God’s call of Pope Leo to lead the Church, he urged the faithful “just not to lose hope, not to doubt God's providence and his plan.” 

As Zeale News previously reported, faithful worldwide have been praying for Pope Leo’s recovery. Those praying include students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in Chicago, who created a care package for him.

“Dear Pope Leo. We hope you feel better. We are all praying for you and the doctors that are helping you,” student Sawyer Nolot wrote in a card.

The Pope is expected to remain at Gemelli Hospital for about a week following his surgery. His audiences scheduled for Oct. 13-20 have been canceled.