Doctors report Pope Leo XIV’s lung recovery is proceeding as expected after surgery

The Story

Doctors treating Pope Leo XIV say his lung is recovering well after surgery to remove a cancerous nodule, and he resumed working from the hospital on Thursday, according to updates from his doctors and the Vatican.

In the medical update, Leo’s post-operative tests “remained within normal levels,” and his physiotherapy session on Thursday included full mobility exercises.

The doctors said the pope was carrying out his daily activities independently.

Leo’s personal doctor, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, reported: “The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung,” and “Overall, his postoperative recovery is proceeding as expected.”

The Vatican said Leo had resumed working from the hospital, looking at documents, and that he celebrated Mass with other priests in a special chapel set up for him near his room on the 10th floor of the hospital for a second day.

The 71-year-old pope had the lower right lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule.

The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, described as the most common type of lung cancer.

Doctors said they are still awaiting results of tests to determine the cancer’s precise molecular makeup, whether it has spread beyond the lobe, and whether further treatment is needed.

In response to questions about whether any changes were expected to his planned trip to South America from Nov. 6 to 17, spokesman Matteo Bruni pointed to Leo’s words from Sunday, when the pope announced the discovery of the nodule and impending surgery.

Bruni said Leo told a Peruvian group: “Thank you for your prayers for the pastoral visit I will make to Peru,” delivered in Spanish.

The trip is scheduled to include stops in Uruguay and Argentina.

Leo is expected to remain hospitalized until at least Oct. 20.