Lucrezia Ciotti Pope Leo XIV is improving after lung surgery and has already resumed some of his work activities at the Gemelli Polyclinic. His post-operative recovery is proceeding normally, while Sunday's Angelus and his return to the Vatican are being evaluated. The timing of his recovery and the confirmation of his trip to South America, scheduled for November, remain unclear.
Pope Leo XIV recovers after surgery and returns to work at Gemelli Hospital.
Pope Leo XIV continues to recover from surgery to remove a malignant lung tumor , performed last Tuesday at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The latest medical report confirms a smooth post-operative course and encouraging signs of respiratory recovery.
" The chest X-ray showed good recovery of the operated lung ," reported the Pope's personal physician, Luigi Carbone, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, who performed the operation.
Routine checks were positive and the Holy Father was able to carry out his daily activities independently , also completing a session of respiratory physiotherapy with motor exercises.
In addition to continuing his rehabilitation, Leo XIV concelebrated Mass , as he had the previous day, and resumed some of his work commitments. In the afternoon, he met with Monsignor Paolo Rudelli , Substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State, and began working on several dossiers to avoid a backlog in preparation for his possible return to the Apostolic Palace. " Overall, the post-operative recovery is proceeding normally ," the doctors concluded in the statement released by the Holy See. However, the results of the tests on the tissues removed during the operation remain to be known.
Pope Leo underwent surgery, what happens next: Parolin's announcement on the Angelus and the Pontificate
Among the Pope 's upcoming appointments is the possibility of reciting the Angelus on Sunday from the Gemelli Hospital . The option is being considered, with some technical inspections reportedly already being carried out at the hospital, but the decision will depend on the progress of his recovery . As reported by Ansa , Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, explained that, if Leo XIV's condition continues to improve by the end of the week, the service could take place regularly from the Gemelli Hospital. The cardinal, however, urged caution, noting that " the Pope has only been hospitalized for two days " and that it is not yet possible to make any definitive predictions.
Based on the doctors' recommendations and his condition upon discharge, the Pope may also consider possible changes in managing his commitments: " The Pope will also reschedule his pontificate, if necessary, " Parolin stated. Attention is also focused on the trip to South America scheduled for November , an important but demanding event, especially given the length of the journey and the potential stops at high altitudes. Final confirmation will therefore depend on the medical team's assessment and the speed of his recovery.
Meanwhile, audiences have been canceled until Tuesday, October 20 , and the Pope's return to the Apostolic Palace could take place, assuming no complications, between Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Parolin made no secret of his apprehension, while remaining confident in the patient's clinical evolution: " I trust the information we've received in the medical bulletins, and therefore I also hope that this situation can be resolved as soon as possible ."