Vatican City – Pope Leo XIV is making a good recovery following lung cancer surgery earlier this week, the Holy See Press Office confirmed on Thursday, October 15. The 71-year-old pontiff, who underwent an operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, spent a comfortable second night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
“The Pope had a good night in the hospital. He got up and had breakfast,” the Vatican’s latest health bulletin stated, offering reassuring news about his postoperative progress.
Surgery Confirms Cancer Diagnosis
Pope Leo XIV had surgery on October 13 after medical examinations identified a suspicious nodule in his lung. Tissue analysis during the procedure confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer.
Surgeons successfully removed the affected lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted technique. The operation itself lasted approximately 90 minutes, with the Pope spending about three hours in the operating room. Vatican officials reported the procedure concluded without complications.
Postoperative Recovery and Outlook
The latest update follows an earlier bulletin on Wednesday, which noted the Pope’s recovery was progressing normally. Blood tests and a chest X-ray showed results within expected ranges. Doctors have confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has begun respiratory physiotherapy, is walking around his hospital room, and has resumed eating normally, having had both breakfast and lunch on Wednesday.
While the immediate recovery is positive, the Vatican has not yet disclosed the full extent of the cancer or whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Further examination of the removed tissue is anticipated to provide additional information, which will help determine if further treatment will be necessary.
Hospital Stay and Papal Schedule
Pope Leo XIV is expected to remain at Gemelli Hospital for approximately one week, with the exact duration dependent on his continued recovery. Consequently, his public audiences and scheduled engagements have been cancelled until October 20. Other senior Church officials are expected to manage certain Vatican engagements during his hospitalization.
The Vatican has pledged to continue issuing updates on the pontiff’s condition as he recovers, providing ongoing transparency regarding his health and progress.