The key facts

  • Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma.
  • The Vatican reported a rapid recovery: the pope performs ordinary actions on his own and celebrated Mass at Gemelli hospital.
  • On Sunday he will lead the Angelus prayer; the location — St. Peter's Square or the hospital — has not been specified. Biopsy results are awaited.

Recovery after surgery

The Vatican announced on Friday that Pope Leo XIV is recovering quickly after lung surgery and will appear in public for the first time on Sunday to lead the traditional midday Angelus prayer. Vatican officials did not specify whether he would recite the prayer from St. Peter's Square or from the hospital. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on Friday that reciting it from the hospital is possible, but depends on his postoperative recovery.

Diagnosis and surgery

The 71-year-old Leo shocked the world and 1.4 billion Catholics last Sunday when he announced that he would undergo surgery in the coming days. Two days later, on October 13, doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung after diagnosing adenocarcinoma — the most common form of lung cancer. Doctors are awaiting biopsy results, which will show the composition of the tumor and indicate whether the cancer has spread; this will determine whether additional treatment, such as radiation or chemotherapy, is needed.

State of health

On Friday the Vatican reported that the pope is carrying out his usual activities on his own and published photographs of the pontiff celebrating Mass at Rome's Gemelli hospital. The medical update, signed by the pope's personal physician Dr. Luigi Carbone and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, states: 'His postoperative recovery allows him to fully independently perform his usual daily activities.' According to the doctors, blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed stable improvement.

Discharge and plans

A Vatican spokesman noted that no information about discharge had been received beyond the initially stated timeframe of about a week. Cardinal Parolin said: 'The question now is when he will return, under what circumstances, and what the doctors will say. And based on all of this, the pope will adjust his pontificate if an adjustment is needed,' adding: 'We cannot make any predictions.'

Trip to South America

One of the first questions after the hospitalization was the possibility of the planned papal visit to South America in a few weeks. The question remains open, but the Vatican said on Friday that preparations are 'continuing': journalists who will fly with Leo to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17 have been accredited.