Lucrezia Ciotti Pope Leo XIV continues his recovery at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome after surgery, while the Vatican denies the spread of false photos of the Pope in his hospital bed on social media. Recent medical checks have yielded reassuring results, but the recovery timeline, any subsequent treatments, and the future of his apostolic journey to Latin America, scheduled for November 6-17, remain unclear.
Pope Leo XIV's latest health updates: The operated lung is recovering well.
News from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome paints an encouraging picture for Pope Leo XIV , still hospitalized following surgery. Reporting the latest developments are Luigi Carbone, the Pontiff's personal physician, and Stefano Margaritora, the specialist who led the operating team.
Clinical checks revealed no abnormalities , and chest examinations confirmed the progress of the operated lung. The bulletin released by the Vatican Press Office states that " overall, the post-operative recovery is proceeding regularly ." Physiotherapy is also progressing well , with exercises that have allowed the Holy Father to complete the planned motor activities.
The Pope once again participated in the Eucharistic celebration in the designated room on the tenth floor of the hospital. He also resumed some work commitments, meeting with Monsignor Paolo Rudelli, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. A more precise outline of his recovery will, however, be awaited by the biopsy results , expected approximately within ten days, which could help guide any treatment options. Cardinal Pietro Parolin urged those present not to prejudge the timing of his recovery : " The Pope has been hospitalized for just two days, " and, he explained, it is necessary to await the doctors' evaluations before determining when he will be able to leave the hospital and whether it will be necessary to rearrange any of his papal commitments.
Fake photos and leaks about the Pope's health, the Vatican intervenes
Alongside the official news of the Pope's recovery , a wave of misinformation has also emerged. Images purported to be photographs of Leo XIV during his hospital stay have been circulating on social media , but the Holy See Press Office clarified that these were not authentic and that no official photographs of the Pope in his hospital bed had been released. Furthermore, on October 14, the fact-checking website Mimikama reported several Facebook posts claiming, without any evidence, that the Pope had suddenly collapsed during an apparition in St. Peter's Square. The recommendation is therefore to rely on official statements and avoid sharing unverified content.