Pope Leo XIV Appears in First Hospital Photos Following Lung Surgery and Cancer Diagnosis
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for medical staff inside Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican released photographs showing the pontiff standing and distributing Communion in a makeshift chapel on the hospital’s 10th floor, accompanied by off-duty nurses, doctors, and members of the Vatican Gendarmerie, according to OSV News.
The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower right lobe of his right lung removed after medical evaluations confirmed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Despite the major procedure, personal physician Dr. Luigi Carbone and chief thoracic surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora stated that subsequent blood tests and chest X-rays confirmed a steady improvement in his general condition, allowing him to resume work duties and independent daily movements from his hospital suite.
Medical Recovery and Independent Hospital Routine
Doctors leading the pope’s care reported that respiratory physiotherapy sessions are continuing as planned, with full mobility exercises demonstrating that the patient is entirely autonomous in movement and breathing. A joint medical bulletin issued by Dr. Carbone and Dr. Margaritora noted that the chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung, with postoperative test metrics remaining within normal levels.
🇻🇦🏥Leo XIV's HospitalizationAs previously announced, Pope has been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital. This afternoon, he will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule performed by the thoracic surgery team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora / Video: AIGAV pic.twitter.com/6ktPpZLm77
Alongside his physical recovery, the pontiff has resumed reviewing official documents and receiving visitors. On Friday afternoon, Pope Leo met separately with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the dean of the College of Cardinals, and Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the papal vicar for Rome, Vatican News reported. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni briefed journalists that while the recovery proceeds smoothly, no final decision regarding hospital discharge has been made, noting that the medical team maintains a baseline one-week observation timeframe.
Diplomatic Outreach and Direct Appeal to Vladimir Putin
Demonstrating a return to his global responsibilities, Pope Leo spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During the call, the pontiff expressed deep concern regarding the severe humanitarian conditions in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city in the Kherson region where approximately 2,000 civilians remain trapped without reliable access to food or medicine, CNN reported.
The pope called for a localized ceasefire to facilitate civilian evacuations and humanitarian aid deliveries. Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told reporters that he hopes the Russian leadership will act on the specific papal request to alleviate civilian suffering. Kremlin officials stated that President Putin supported the Vatican’s initiative to assist the region, marking only the second telephone diplomacy call of Leo’s papacy.
Upcoming Public Engagements and Travel Uncertainty
Vatican officials confirmed that the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer will proceed, though logistical arrangements regarding where the pontiff will appear within the hospital facility remain under review. All papal engagements have been canceled through Oct. 20, and Leo is expected to remain hospitalized until at least that date.
Questions persist regarding a planned pastoral tour of Latin America scheduled for Nov. 6–17, which includes planned stops in Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina. While official preparations continue—with the Vatican publishing a list of accompanying journalists—spokesmen maintain that final confirmation depends entirely on medical clearances. Furthermore, definitive post-operative pathology results regarding the precise molecular make-up of the cancer and whether further treatment will be required have not yet been publicly released.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific type of lung cancer was diagnosed?
Doctors confirmed that Pope Leo XIV had adenocarcinoma, which is identified as the most common type of lung cancer, following the surgical removal of a nodule from the lower right lobe of his lung.
Who are the main medical professionals overseeing the pope’s treatment?
The medical team is led by Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope’s personal physician, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the chief surgeon for his operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
What are the current plans for the pope’s scheduled international travel?
A pastoral visit to Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina is currently scheduled for Nov. 6–17. However, Vatican officials have emphasized that the trip remains subject to evaluation by his medical team depending on his ongoing recovery.
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