Pope Leo XIV is recovering well after undergoing surgery for lung cancer at Rome's Gemelli hospital, the Vatican said on Thursday. In a brief statement on Telegram, the Holy See confirmed that the 71-year-old pontiff had a "good night" and was able to get up and have breakfast.
The pope, who leads the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, announced on Sunday that he would undergo an operation to remove a nodule from his lung. The procedure took place on Tuesday, and afterwards the Vatican revealed that the growth was malignant, requiring surgeons to remove part of his right lung.
On Wednesday, doctors quoted by the Vatican said his recovery was "proceeding as expected." A Vatican source added that the pope had even celebrated Mass in a specially prepared room on the tenth floor of the hospital.
Awaiting biopsy results
The pope now awaits the results of a biopsy to determine whether the cancer has spread. Before the surgery, the Vatican had indicated that recovery would take about a week, and all papal audiences up to 20 October have been cancelled.
The news has drawn attention across Europe and beyond, with leaders and faithful expressing their support. US President Donald Trump, who has previously been critical of the pope's anti-war stance, was among those wishing him well. Speaking after a campaign rally in Arizona on Wednesday, Trump said: "It's big stuff anytime you have cancer, but the prognosis seems to be good. I just want to wish him well. Get better fast."
The pope's condition has also reignited discussions about the health of the papacy and the demands of leading the Catholic Church in a rapidly changing world. As the first Latin American pope, Leo XIV has made reform and outreach central to his pontificate, and his recovery will be closely monitored by Catholics and observers alike.
For now, the Vatican's updates offer a reassuring picture. The pope's ability to eat breakfast and celebrate Mass so soon after major surgery is a positive sign, though the biopsy results will be crucial in determining the long-term outlook.
As he recuperates in the Gemelli hospital, the same facility where several of his predecessors were treated, the pope's resilience and determination are evident. The coming days will be critical, but the initial reports suggest that the surgery was successful and that the pope is on the path to recovery.
