Pope Leo XIV has returned to his administrative duties while continuing his recovery at the Gemelli hospital in Rome. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who underwent a significant operation earlier this week to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung, reportedly met with his chief of staff, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, on Thursday. The Vatican confirmed the meeting, noting that Archbishop Rudelli manages much of the daily operational requirements of the Holy See.
The medical team overseeing the 71-year-old pontiff’s recovery, including his personal physician Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, issued a positive update on his status. According to the medical statement, the Pope’s post-operative tests have remained within normal clinical ranges. Furthermore, the pontiff participated in a physiotherapy session on Thursday that focused on full mobility exercises. Doctors indicated that the Pope has been performing his daily activities independently, signaling a steady improvement in his physical state.
Specific imaging results provided by the hospital confirmed the positive trajectory of his recuperation. “The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung,” the medical team reported, adding that his overall post-operative progress is proceeding as expected. In a demonstration of his commitment to his spiritual duties, Pope Leo has also continued to celebrate Mass for a second day. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that the services were held in a special chapel established near the Pope’s room on the 10th floor of the facility.
The surgical procedure, which took place on Tuesday, resulted in the removal of a portion of the Pope’s right lung. Subsequent pathology confirmed the presence of adenocarcinoma, which is characterized as the most common form of lung cancer. While the initial surgery was deemed successful, medical staff are still awaiting further test results. These findings are expected to clarify the precise molecular composition of the growth, determine if the cancer has spread beyond the affected lobe, and guide decisions regarding any potential requirement for follow-up treatment.
As Pope Leo remains under observation, questions have arisen regarding his upcoming international itinerary. The pontiff has a planned pastoral visit to South America, spanning Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina, scheduled from November 6 to November 17. While the Vatican has not yet officially canceled the trip, the feasibility of the journey remains subject to his health. When questioned about potential schedule adjustments, spokesman Matteo Bruni referred to the Pope’s previous comments from Sunday, where he expressed anticipation for the visit to Peru.
Prior to his hospitalization, the Pope had been active in his official capacity, recently attracting a significant audience during a four-day visit to France, where he presided over a Mass attended by nearly one million people. For now, the focus remains on his immediate recovery within the clinical setting. The Pope is expected to stay at the Gemelli hospital until at least next Tuesday as doctors continue to monitor his progress and conduct necessary follow-up examinations.
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