Pope Leo XIV shows normal postoperative recovery and good spirits

A new update on the health of Pope Leo XIV indicates that His Holiness is showing normal postoperative recovery, according to blood tests and X-rays conducted in the morning. He has also started respiratory physiotherapy.

The medical bulletin published by the Vatican states: 'This morning, the Holy Father underwent scheduled postoperative blood tests and chest X-rays. The results confirm normal postoperative development: parameters are within the normal range for this type of procedure.'

Information provided by the Holy See also indicates that on Wednesday, the Pope engaged in respiratory physiotherapy, began walking in his room, and resumed his regular diet, having taken breakfast and lunch. The Vatican specified: 'The Holy Father underwent respiratory physiotherapy and started walking around the room. He resumed regular nutrition, having had both breakfast and lunch. His recovery is proceeding as expected.'

The Director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni, informed the media that 'the Pope feels well and is full of enthusiasm,' presenting the medical report.

Bruni also stated that the prognosis for the Pope's hospital stay remains unchanged—'about a week from the date of hospitalization.'

Pope diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma

Pope Leo XIV was hospitalized yesterday afternoon, two days after announcing the upcoming operation for a 'lung-limited' nodule discovered at a 'very early stage.' Following this, His Holiness was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma is a type of non-small cell lung cancer. According to CUF, 'It is the most common type of lung cancer, usually accounting for 85% of lung cancer cases. This type of lung cancer typically grows and metastasizes more slowly compared to small cell cancer.'

It is also noted that adenocarcinoma 'is the most common malignant epithelial tumor of the lung, accounting for 30-50% of cases.'

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noticiasaominuto.comOctober 14, 08:00

Pope Leo XIV undergoes lung surgery and has a quiet night after the procedure

The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV had a quiet night after undergoing surgery to remove a lung tumor. The operation, performed on Tuesday, was reported as having been successful, within the established schedule, and as planned.

The procedure began around 6:00 PM local time and lasted approximately two hours. After the surgery, Leo XIV returned to his room at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Medical sources cited by the Italian agency ANSA indicate that the Pope may be able to move around and stand as early as Wednesday.

Diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma

Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma after undergoing thoracic surgery intended to excise a lung nodule at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. A statement issued by the Holy See, signed by doctor Luigi Carbone and professor Stefano Margaritora, details that the Holy Father underwent the thoracic intervention as foreseen. To ensure the radical nature of the surgery, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique. The immediate histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, which was already suspected in preoperative tests.

Announcement of the operation during mass

The Pope had been admitted to the hospital earlier on the previous afternoon, just two days after announcing that he would undergo surgery due to a nodule that was 'circumscribed to the lung' and which had been detected at a very early stage. Faithful, both men and religious women, attended the chapel of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome to pray for the Pope's health.

Leo XIV assumed leadership of 1.4 billion Catholics globally and is the first American Pope in history, becoming so on May 8, 2025, following the death, at the age of 88, of Pope Francis, who was Argentinian. Although his style is less extravagant than that of his predecessor, Leo XIV has gradually implemented his own way of governing the Catholic Church, addressing urgent global issues, from violent conflicts to Artificial Intelligence.