In brief
Pope Leo XIV was pictured celebrating Mass from the hospital, the first images released following his lung surgery. He was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after a nodule was found, and the operation removed the entire lower lobe of his right lung. Doctors report steady improvement and a good recovery of the operated lung. The Pope thanked medical staff as he gave a short Mass before returning to his recovery room.
On Friday, Pope Leo XIV was photographed celebrating a brief Mass from a makeshift altar on the tenth floor of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the first images released since his surgery.
The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after a nodule was found near the bottom of his right lung. The operation, carried out by a specialist team at the hospital, removed the entire lower lobe to ensure a radical treatment.
Doctors report that the pope is showing steady improvement. A chest X-ray indicates a good recovery of the operated lung and the pontiff has spent a peaceful night in the hospital’s recovery area.
In a statement, the Vatican press office noted that the pope celebrated with medical and nursing staff, thanked the workers for their care, and will remain at the hospital for about a week as he recovers.
