Pope Leo XIV Resumes Work in Hospital Following Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has resumed work from the hospital as he recovers from surgery to remove a cancerous nodule. The Vatican confirmed that the surgery was successful. On Thursday, Pope Leo met with Vatican chief of staff Archbishop Paolo Rudelli at Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he is receiving treatment. Archbishop Rudelli manages much of the day-to-day administrative work of the Holy See. An update from the pope's personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, indicated that the pope's post-operative tests remained within normal levels. His physiotherapy session on Thursday included full mobility exercises, and he was able to conduct his daily activities independently. Doctors reported that a chest X-ray showed good recovery of the operated lung, and overall, his post-operative recovery is proceeding as expected. For the second consecutive day, the pope celebrated Mass with other priests in a special chapel set up near his room on the 10th floor of the hospital, according to spokesman Matteo Bruni. The 71-year-old pope had part of his right lung removed after a lengthy operation on Tuesday, following the identification of a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Doctors are still awaiting test results to determine the precise molecular makeup of the cancer, whether it has spread beyond the lobe, and whether further treatment is necessary. Pope Leo attracted a following of almost one million people at a Mass in Paris during a four-day visit to France last month before announcing he would undergo surgery. It is unclear whether he will make his planned trip to South American countries next month. When asked about potential changes to his planned trip from November 6-17, spokesman Bruni referenced the pope's words on Sunday when he announced the discovery of the nodule and impending surgery. "Thank you for your prayers for the pastoral visit I will make to Peru," Leo said in Spanish, addressing a Peruvian group. The trip is also scheduled to include Uruguay and Argentina. Pope Leo is expected to remain in the hospital until at least next Tuesday.