Pope Leo XIV Resumes Work Three Days After Surgery
Chest X-rays show the operated lung recovering well. He celebrated Mass, met aides, and the November trip remains planned.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, his third day at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Pope Leo XIV received encouraging medical news and quietly resumed his duties.
Lead surgeon Stefano Margaritora and the pope’s personal physician, Luigi Carbone issued a medical bulletin at 2 p.m. local time. Routine morning checkups were normal, and a chest X-ray showed “good recovery of the operated lung.” The 71-year-old Holy Father “carried out his daily activities independently” and completed a physiotherapy session with “a full range of motor activities.” Overall postoperative recovery was “proceeding as expected” and “progressing normally.”
The pontiff had a good night, got up, and had breakfast. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, he began respiratory physical therapy, walked around his room, and resumed a regular diet.
Duties Resume From the Hospital
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that Pope Leo “has started back to work” and is “in good spirits.” That afternoon he received Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, substitute of the Secretariat of State, and celebrated Mass in the hospital chapel.
All audiences remain suspended through Oct. 20. The Holy Father has requested the prayers of the faithful as he recovers.
Diagnosis Confirmed, Further Tests Pending
Surgery on Oct. 13 removed the lower lobe of his right lung after preoperative robotic bronchoscopy with biopsy, a chest CT with contrast, and a PET scan revealed a well-contained lung nodule detected at an early stage. The procedure confirmed lung adenocarcinoma.
Histological examination of the removed tissue is still pending. Results typically take five to 15 days—possibly about a week in this case—to assess any spread and determine whether further treatment is needed.
The planned Nov. 6–17 apostolic journey to Latin America—Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay—remains on schedule, Bruni said. A senior Vatican source expressed surprise that the trip would proceed as planned.
Catholics worldwide continue to accompany the Successor of Peter with prayer as he regains strength for the mission entrusted to him.