Pope Leo XIV has resumed limited duties in hospital after surgery to remove part of his right lung and a diagnosis of lung cancer, the Vatican said.
The pontiff celebrated Mass at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Thursday before undertaking “a little bit of work activity”, including reading documents. He also met Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, the undersecretary of state.
Leo underwent routine checks, including a chest X-ray, which showed “good recovery of the operated lung”, according to his personal physician, Dr Luigi Carbone, and thoracic surgeon Dr Stefano Margaritora.
In a joint statement, the doctors said the Pope’s “post-operative recovery is progressing as expected”. He has also completed at least one physiotherapy session.
Leo is expected to leave hospital on 20 October, a week after he was admitted. His audiences have been cancelled until that date.
The Vatican said the Pope hoped to lead the Angelus prayer from hospital on Sunday, although it remained unclear whether he would be able to do so.
Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis
The Vatican announced on Tuesday that Leo had been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing a 90-minute operation. Pre-operative tests had indicated the possible presence of the disease, and a lobe of his right lung containing a nodular lesion was removed.
No further details have been released about the cancer, including its stage or genetic makeup.
Candida Moss, Edward Cadbury professor of theology at the University of Birmingham, said popes had traditionally continued with their schedules and Catholic duties as far as possible despite health problems.
“We have a long tradition of popes — not just Pope Francis, but also Pope John Paul II, who had Parkinson’s for 10 years — who continued to remain as active as they could, and as active in Catholic liturgies as they could, right up until the end of their tenures,” she said.
Leo is expected to travel to South America next month. The Vatican referred to comments made by the Pope on Sunday, when he said he was looking forward to the trip.
