Surgery and diagnosis

Pope Leo XIV, who is 71, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Monday, 12 October, ahead of an operation on Tuesday, 13 October. Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung after a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. The procedure lasted 90 minutes. According to Vatican circles, the cancer was caught at an early stage, and further tests are checking whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Doctors are awaiting biopsy results that will show the make-up of the tumour and help decide whether he needs radiation or chemotherapy.

Recovery and the Vatican's medical update

On Friday, 16 October, the Vatican released a medical update signed by Dr Luigi Carbone, the pope's personal physician, and Dr Stefano Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli. Blood tests and a chest X-ray taken on 16 October confirmed steady improvement, and the pope continues respiratory physiotherapy. The update described his condition in these words:

“His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own.”

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said no communication from doctors about discharge had yet been received, and the timeframe given from the start remains about one week.

Mass, photos and the spokesman's assurances

At 12:00 on Friday, 16 October, the pope celebrated Mass in a room on the 10th floor of Gemelli, attended by off-duty hospital staff and members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps. The Vatican released photos of the service showing him in green vestments at the Consecration. One photo shows his personal secretary, Edgard Rimaycuna, a Peruvian priest, standing beside him. The Vatican's account of the homily gave this:

“In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff doctors, nurses, and support personnel for the work they do every day in caring for the sick and their vulnerabilities.”

The spokesman also said the pope is in good humour and carried on with his work that day. Il Sole 24 Ore reported a wave of fake pictures on social media after the official photos, including fabricated images of the pope in a hospital bed and taking first steps with a walker.

Angelus, audiences and the South America trip

The Vatican said the pope will deliver the Angelus on Sunday, 18 October, but did not say whether it would be from St Peter's Square or from the hospital. Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on Friday, 16 October, that a recitation from hospital is possible and depends on recovery. Parolin also clarified his remark of Thursday, 15 October, about the pope "readjusting the pontificate", saying it referred solely to papal trips, at least the next trip to Latin America. Audiences are cancelled through 20 October. Asked about the timing of his return, Parolin said:

“The question now is when he will return, under what circumstances he will return, and what the doctors say.”

The Vatican said planning for the trip is going forward and has released the list of journalists accredited for the journey, which is scheduled from 6 November. That publication does not mean the trip will go ahead, and the Vatican's own precedent is Pope Francis's Sudan trip, planned for June 2022 and postponed to February 2023.