Pope Leo XIV has been pictured celebrating Mass from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Consequently, these newly released images mark his first public appearance following the recent Pope Leo XIV cancer diagnosis.
Specifically, the 71-year-old pontiff underwent successful lung surgery on Tuesday afternoon. During the procedure, surgeons removed the entire lower lobe of his right lung to eliminate a localized nodule. Following post-operative examinations, doctors confirmed the growth was a lung adenocarcinoma. In the official photos, the Chicago-born Pope appeared in a green robe while standing behind a makeshift altar on the hospital’s tenth floor. Furthermore, he celebrated Mass alongside medical personnel and expressed deep gratitude for their care.
Meanwhile, medical staff report a steady improvement in the Pope’s overall condition. Recent chest X-rays indicate a solid recovery of the operated lung. Additionally, the Vatican confirmed that the pontiff woke up normally after the procedure and experienced no immediate complications. He had initially revealed the upcoming operation during his Sunday prayers, reassuring the faithful that doctors detected the early-stage nodule during routine checks.
Ultimately, the Holy See expects the Pope to remain hospitalized for about a week to complete his recovery. Therefore, updates surrounding the Pope Leo XIV cancer diagnosis continue to draw global attention and prayers from Catholics worldwide.
This video is relevant as it provides a news report on Pope Leo XIV’s recent lung surgery and medical updates directly related to the story.
Reference: Pope pictured for first time since surgery and cancer diagnosis: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw146ej00yn7o