Pope Leo Resumes Hospital Duties After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has resumed work from Rome's Gemelli Hospital as he recovers from surgery to remove part of a lung affected by cancer. The Vatican announced on October 15 that the 71-year-old pope met his chief of staff, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, in the hospital as doctors described his recovery as proceeding as expected. Al Jazeera

Leo underwent a lengthy operation on Tuesday to remove part of his right lung after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. The Vatican had said ahead of time that he would enter hospital on Tuesday for surgery to remove a small growth on a lung, and said afterward that the operation was successful and had no complications.

Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said post-operative tests remained within normal levels. A chest X-ray showed good recovery of the operated lung. They said Leo was carrying out his daily activities independently and had completed a physiotherapy session on Thursday involving full mobility exercises.

Spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope celebrated Mass for a second day with other priests in a special chapel near his room on the 10th floor of the hospital. Vatican News also reported that on his third day in hospital, his postoperative recovery was progressing normally. Vatican News

Leo arrived at Gemelli on October 13, according to earlier hospital announcements, and awoke normally after the operation. BBC Doctors said they were still awaiting test results on the precise molecular makeup of the cancer, whether it had spread beyond the lobe that was removed, and whether further treatment would be necessary.

He is expected to remain in hospital until at least next Tuesday. A pastoral visit to Peru, Uruguay and Argentina is scheduled for November 6-17.