Vatican releases first photos of Pope Leo after lung surgery
Doctors reported continued improvement on October 16, while the Vatican said Sunday’s Angelus prayer would take place.
On October 16, the Vatican released the first photographs of Pope Leo XIV since his lung cancer surgery, showing him celebrating Mass and standing unaided at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, Reuters reported.
The Holy See Press Office said the Pope celebrated Mass at noon in a room prepared on the hospital’s 10th floor. Medical and nursing staff attended, along with members of the Vatican gendarmerie, according to Vatican News.
The Pope distributed Communion and thanked staff for caring for patients and for him, the Vatican account said.
In a medical bulletin released that afternoon, doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed continued improvement in his overall condition. Respiratory physiotherapy was continuing, they said, and his recovery allowed him to carry out normal daily activities independently.
The Vatican said the Sunday Angelus prayer would take place. Reuters reported that the planned October 18 appearance would be his first in public since hospitalisation. No discharge date had been announced in that report.
Leo, 71, underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, Reuters reported.
This story was drafted with AI assistance from the sources listed below and reviewed by a human editor before publication.
