Pope Leo XIV is improving steadily in hospital after lung surgery earlier this week, according to his doctors. The Vatican says he plans to appear before the public on Sunday.
The 71-year-old Catholic leader was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had part of his right lung removed on Tuesday. In a medical update issued on Friday, his doctors said he can now carry out normal daily activities with full independence.
Medical update and first images since surgery
A blood test and chest X-ray taken earlier on Friday confirmed a steady improvement, the bulletin said. The same day, the Vatican released the first images of Leo since the operation. They show him celebrating mass and standing without help at the Rome hospital where he is recovering.
The doctors said the surgery was completed successfully and without complications. They have not yet disclosed the size of the tumour or whether the disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes, both of which are key to judging the outlook. The Vatican did not say when the pope might leave hospital, although it had earlier indicated that recovery would take about a week.
Sunday prayer and planned South America trip
The Vatican said Leo will deliver the traditional noontime prayer on Sunday, marking his first public appearance since the operation. Preparations are also continuing for his trip to South America in November, the Holy See added.
Leo is due to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori had speculated that the trip might have to be delayed. However, the Vatican released a list of journalists approved to cover the visit, and a Vatican spokesman said work on the trip is going forward.
Cupich on the diagnosis and Leo’s work from hospital
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, seen as a close ally of Leo, said he had been shocked by the cancer diagnosis. He told the Catholic magazine America that he believed Leo had downplayed his health issue when the pope announced on Sunday that he needed surgery for a small, well-contained growth on his lung.
Cupich said the news that part of the lung had been removed and that the growth was malignant was more troubling still. He said people were very concerned and even worried, but were hoping for the best.
Leo also kept working from hospital on Friday, speaking by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Vatican said the pope pressed for a ceasefire to allow aid and food into the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky.
