Pope Leo XIV Recovering Well After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV is on the mend following cancer surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital. The 71-year-old pontiff has undergone an operation to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, and he remains there for recuperation. A doctor's note released by the Vatican just a day after the procedure paints a picture of steady improvement. He is out of bed, walking around, eating, and has started respiratory physiotherapy.

Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora shared these details in a published statement. They pointed to a blood test and chest X-ray that showed "normal post-operative" progress. Their assessment was clear: the patient's values were "within the expected range for the type of procedure performed". The doctors noted he underwent respiratory physiotherapy and started walking inside his room. He resumed his regular diet, consuming breakfast and lunch without issue. The recovery is moving forward exactly as planned.

The surgery itself lasted 90 minutes and was declared successful with no complications reported. A medical bulletin published on Tuesday explained that the pontiff had a lower lobe of his right lung removed during the operation. Tests confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which preoperative tests had already suspected. The Vatican did not offer details on what happens next regarding treatment or the recovery outlook.

The procedure was "radical," meaning doctors stripped out all suspect tissue to eliminate lingering traces of cancer. Afterward, Pope Leo returned to his room at Gemelli hospital. He is expected to stay there for about a week. All audiences scheduled through October 20 have been cancelled. Doctors are not yet discussing chemotherapy or other therapies while they wait for results from further tests.