The Vatican has published the first photographs of Pope Leo XIV since he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung. The images, released on Friday, show the 78-year-old pontiff celebrating Mass in a chapel at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he has been recovering since the operation.
According to a brief statement from the Holy See press office, the Pope's post-operative recovery is proceeding well. He is able to carry out daily activities independently and remains in good spirits. The Vatican said his clinical condition continues to improve, though no date has been set for his discharge.
A delicate procedure
The surgery, performed earlier this week, was described by the Vatican as a planned intervention to remove a nodule that had been detected in the Pope's right lung. Subsequent tests confirmed the growth was malignant, making it a cancerous tumour. The operation was carried out at the Gemelli hospital, a facility that has long been associated with papal medical care.
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in 2025, has been in office for less than a year. His health has been a subject of close attention since his election, and the announcement of the surgery prompted an outpouring of support from Catholics across Europe and beyond. The Vatican has sought to balance transparency with discretion, releasing regular updates while avoiding excessive detail about the Pope's medical condition.
The release of the photographs is a deliberate signal of reassurance. In them, the Pope appears alert and engaged, wearing white vestments and presiding over the Eucharist. The images were taken in a small chapel within the hospital's papal suite, a space that has hosted several pontiffs during their convalescence.
European reactions
News of the Pope's recovery has been followed closely in Italy and across the continent. In Rome, faithful have gathered outside the Gemelli to pray, while bishops' conferences in countries such as France, Germany, and Poland have issued statements of support. The Pope's health is a matter of concern not only for the Catholic Church but also for European leaders, who have engaged with him on issues ranging from migration to climate policy.
The Vatican's handling of the Pope's illness has drawn comparisons to the final years of Pope John Paul II, who was treated at the same hospital, and to the more recent health struggles of Pope Francis. However, Vatican officials have stressed that Leo XIV's condition is different: the tumour was detected early, and the surgery was successful. Recovery and what lies ahead will depend on the Pope's response to treatment and his overall resilience.
Medical experts have noted that recovery from lung surgery can take several weeks, and the Pope will likely need to limit his public appearances for a time. The Vatican has not yet announced any changes to his schedule, but it is expected that he will remain at the Gemelli for at least another week.
The Pope's ability to celebrate Mass so soon after the operation is a positive sign, according to doctors not involved in his care. It suggests that his breathing is stable and that he is not experiencing major complications. Still, the long-term outlook will depend on whether the cancer has spread and whether further treatment, such as chemotherapy, is required.
For now, the Vatican is focusing on the Pope's convalescence. In a message released alongside the photographs, the Pope thanked well-wishers for their prayers and asked for continued discretion. He also expressed his closeness to the sick and suffering, a theme that has marked his pontificate.
The images of Pope Leo XIV at the altar, frail but determined, are likely to become a defining image of his early papacy. They offer a glimpse of a leader who, even in illness, remains committed to his spiritual duties. As he recovers, the attention of the Catholic world will remain fixed on the Gemelli hospital, awaiting further news.
