Pope Leo XIV has been pictured celebrating Mass from hospital, in the first images of him released by the Vatican since he had lung surgery. The images, shared on Friday, show the 71-year-old pontiff in a green robe standing behind a makeshift altar on the tenth floor of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The Vatican press office said the Pope celebrated Mass with medical and nursing staff and thanked them for their service. He was diagnosed with lung cancer after the operation, which took place at the same hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The Vatican described the surgery as successful and said it had proceeded without complications.
Doctors report steady recovery after lung operation
On Friday, the Pope’s doctors said tests showed a steady improvement in his general condition since the procedure. A chest X-ray indicated good recovery of the operated lung. The Vatican said the whole lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung had been removed to make sure the procedure was radical.
After the operation, the Pope woke normally and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room, where he spent a peaceful night. He is expected to remain in hospital for about a week as he recovers.
Lung nodule led to cancer diagnosis
Pope Leo first announced the operation during his weekly Sunday prayers in St Peter’s Square. He told the crowd that doctors had found a “well-contained” nodule on his lung at an early stage and advised its removal. The Vatican said nodules are common and not necessarily cancerous, but after examination the medical team confirmed it was cancerous, as suspected by pre-operative tests. He was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.
The Vatican stressed that the Pope had shown no symptoms of infection or illness before the procedure.
