Pope Leo XIV is showing encouraging signs of recovery after undergoing surgery to remove part of his right lung, following a diagnosis of lung cancer.
The Vatican has released the first photographs of the 71-year-old pontiff since his operation, showing him celebrating Mass inside a hospital chapel in Rome. The development comes as doctors report steady improvement in his overall condition.
The photographs, released on Friday, show Pope Leo standing at an altar dressed in green liturgical vestments while celebrating Mass and distributing Communion at Gemelli Hospital.
Members of the hospital’s medical and nursing teams, along with personnel from the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps, attended the service.
During his homily, the pope expressed gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who care for patients every day, particularly those experiencing illness and vulnerability.
His appearance offers a glimpse into his recovery following Tuesday’s operation, during which surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the pope’s overall condition continues to improve.
Medical officials Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora reported that his postoperative recovery has progressed to the point where he can independently perform normal daily activities.
The surgery followed examinations that confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer. However, the Vatican has not yet provided a complete assessment of the cancer’s stage or announced whether further treatment will be necessary.
Doctors will need to evaluate the surgical findings and pathology results before determining the next steps in his care.
Medical experts say the removal of a lung lobe does not necessarily prevent a patient from returning to normal daily activities.
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel said the pope’s procedure reportedly involved video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique that can reduce postoperative pain and support a quicker recovery in suitable patients.
Siegel also noted that the pope’s reportedly active lifestyle and underlying physical condition could help his recovery. Nevertheless, individual outcomes depend on several factors, including lung function, the extent of the disease, and the healing process.
The pope’s diagnosis has also drawn attention to the fact that lung cancer can develop in people who have never smoked.
Oncologist Dr. Lary Robinson of Moffitt Cancer Center, who has not treated the pope, explained that although smoking is associated with most lung cancer cases, the disease also affects nonsmokers.
Robinson said surgery to remove a lung lobe is generally used when doctors believe a tumor can be surgically removed. However, the pope’s precise cancer stage and prognosis cannot be established from the operation alone.
If the disease is found to be at an early stage, the outlook may be favorable. Doctors must still review the pathology results to determine whether additional treatment is needed.
The Vatican has indicated that Pope Leo plans to appear publicly on Sunday for the traditional noon Angelus prayer, which he regularly leads.
The appearance would mark his first public engagement since the operation, although his participation and any subsequent schedule will depend on medical advice and his continuing recovery.
For now, the Vatican’s latest update points to progress, while important medical questions remain unanswered.
Pope Leo XIV’s first post-surgery images have offered reassurance to Catholics and observers around the world. His recovery is progressing, but doctors will need further test results before providing a clearer picture of his long-term health and whether additional cancer treatment will be required.
SNEWS TV will continue to follow developments in the pope’s recovery.
Reporting by Sandra Lomami For SNEWS TV.
