Vatican City, October 2026 : Pope Leo XIV is recovering steadily following surgery for lung cancer, with routine medical tests showing satisfactory results and a chest X-ray indicating improvement in his lungs, the Vatican said on Thursday.
According to an update issued by the Holy See Press Office, the 71-year-old pontiff, who is being treated at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, was feeling better on the third day of his hospital stay. His post-operative recovery is progressing as expected, and he has been able to carry out routine daily activities independently.
Doctors are also supervising his physiotherapy sessions to support his recovery and help restore respiratory function following the operation.
Lung cancer confirmed during surgery
Pope Leo XIV was recently found to have a lung nodule during routine medical examinations. Following further investigations, doctors decided to remove the affected tissue surgically.
An examination of the tissue removed during the procedure confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of lung cancer. The possibility of this diagnosis had been suspected during pre-operative assessments and was confirmed through testing conducted during the operation.
The Vatican has not yet released a detailed assessment of the cancer’s stage or confirmed whether the pontiff will require additional treatment. Further examination of the removed tissue is expected to help doctors determine the extent of the disease and decide on the next steps in his treatment.
Surgery to remove the lower lobe of the right lung
The operation was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, head of the Thoracic Surgery Department at Gemelli Hospital. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung using a video-assisted surgical technique, which allows doctors to operate with the help of a camera and specialised instruments.
According to the Vatican, the procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes, although the pontiff remained in the operating theatre for around three hours.
The surgery was reported to have been successful, with no complications disclosed during the procedure. Pope Leo XIV regained consciousness normally after the operation and was transferred to his hospital room following a period of observation.
The surgical team is continuing to monitor his condition as he progresses through the initial stages of recovery.
Medical tests indicate encouraging progress
The latest medical bulletin said routine examinations conducted on Thursday morning produced satisfactory results. These included blood tests and a chest X-ray, which showed improvement in the condition of his lungs following surgery.
Doctors have also prescribed respiratory physiotherapy and physical exercises to support his recovery. Such rehabilitation is intended to help patients improve breathing, maintain physical activity and gradually return to their normal routines after lung surgery.
The Vatican said the Pope had been able to manage his daily activities and participate in physiotherapy under medical supervision.
While the latest update indicates that his immediate post-operative recovery is proceeding as expected, his longer-term treatment plan will depend on the findings of further medical assessments.
Pope continues official duties from hospital
Despite remaining in hospital, Pope Leo XIV has resumed some official responsibilities. On Thursday, he met Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, a senior Vatican official.
He also participated in a religious prayer service and a Mass within the hospital premises, according to the Vatican’s update.
However, all his public audiences have been cancelled until October 20 to allow him time to recover. The pontiff will remain under the supervision of his medical team, which is assessing his progress and determining when he may safely resume a fuller schedule.
The Vatican has indicated that he could remain at Gemelli Hospital for approximately a week, depending on his recovery.
Further treatment will depend on medical assessment
Doctors are continuing detailed examinations of the tissue removed during surgery. The findings will provide additional information about the cancer and help determine whether further treatment is necessary.
The Vatican has not announced a definitive timeline for the Pope’s discharge or provided details of any additional cancer treatment. His medical team is expected to make decisions based on the results of the pathological examinations and his overall recovery.
His planned South America trip in November has not been officially changed so far. However, his ability to undertake the journey will depend on his health, medical advice and the progress of his recovery in the coming weeks.
Pope Leo XIV’s health has drawn attention from Catholics around the world, as well as political leaders and religious figures who have expressed hopes for his speedy recovery.
For now, the Vatican’s latest update indicates that the pontiff is responding well to post-operative care. His medical team will continue to monitor his condition as further tests help establish the appropriate course of treatment.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
