Pope Leo walks, concelebrates Mass at hospital as he recovers from surgery

Pope Leo XIV’s recovery from his Oct. 13 lung surgery is proceeding as expected, as he has begun walking and eating normally, the Holy See Press Office announced Oct. 14. 

The update was provided by Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, who performed the operation along with a medical team at the Rome-based Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Leo is expected to remain until Oct. 20. 

Pope Leo underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray in the morning of Oct. 14 after a calm first night in the hospital, according to the office’s releases. 

“The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally: the values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed,” the statement read, according to Vatican News.

Pope Leo also underwent respiratory physiotherapy, the statement added. 

Pope Leo also concelebrated Mass in the afternoon, in a room on the 10th floor of the hospital prepared specifically for the liturgy, the office’s director Matteo Bruni announced later on Oct. 14. 

The health updates follow an announcement Oct. 13 that Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, as Zeale News reported. The Oct. 13 thoracic surgery entailed the removal of the lower lobe of his right lung, and subsequent examination confirmed the cancer diagnosis. Pope Leo had initially announced doctors’ discovery of the nodule on Oct. 11, saying it “was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized.”

The Pontiff’s audiences scheduled for Oct. 13-20 have been canceled, and the Vatican’s event this week marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia has proceeded with a few changes in light of Pope Leo’s absence. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over Mass Oct. 14 at St. Peter’s Square for participants of the event, and read the homily prepared by Pope Leo during the liturgy. Pope Leo also sent a message to participants of the event upon its conclusion, noting his inability to join them and his gratitude for their prayers. He said he will read the participants’ insights gathered from the event and offer his own reflections in due time. 

“In a particular way, it is my hope that families will always be active participants in the life and mission of your local Churches, and that they will help you to discern the paths ahead. As you return home, please assure all in your communities of my spiritual closeness and encouragement,” he wrote. “Entrusting each of you to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth, I ask you please to pray for me, as I pray for you.”

Following both the initial announcement of surgery and the later cancer diagnosis, people around the world have joined in calls for prayer for the Pope’s health. A novena for Pope Leo’s health was launched Oct. 13 by CatholicVote’s Zeale Media, garnering more than 2,500 pledges to pray for his recovery and spiritual support. 

As the Pope recovers from his surgery, support is also being extended to him from his hometown of Chicago. Catholic students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy have come together to send him a care package that school officials will send to Gemelli Hospital. Some of the students had met Pope Leo last year during a school trip to the Vatican, according to ABC7 Chicago, and upon learning of his diagnosis Oct. 13 came together to pray for him. Their care package includes cards and a blanket, according to the outlet. 

“It feels nice to wish him well because he's like a close friend and I was really sad when I heard when he was sick,” Ines Martins, one of the 6th-graders who met Pope Leo, told the outlet. 

Some of the students shared what their cards to the Pontiff said as well. 

Student Catherine Esser said she drew four children saying, “Get well soon, and go White Sox.” 

Another, Sawyer Nolot, shared, “Dear Pope Leo. We hope you feel better. We are all praying for you and the doctors that are helping you.”