Pope Leo XIV Recovering Well After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV is making a steady recovery following surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his right lung. According to a statement from the Vatican, the 71-year-old leader began walking in his hospital room on Wednesday after completing respiratory therapy. His doctors, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritoria, noted that the Pope is eating normally and that his recent blood tests and chest X-rays show normal progress after the operation.

The surgery, which took place late Tuesday at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, confirmed that the Pope has adenocarcinoma. This is the most common form of lung cancer, even among people who do not smoke. While the diagnosis came as a shock to many, the Vatican has been open about the situation. The Pope first shared the news during a prayer service on Sunday, explaining that doctors had found a small, contained growth during a regular checkup and caught it early.

Medical experts suggest that the Pope’s active lifestyle may help his recovery. Dr. Otis Brawley, an oncologist at Johns Hopkins University, told NPR that the Pope’s physical fitness is a positive sign. Dr. Brawley explained that patients who are in good shape, such as those who exercise regularly, often recover quickly from this type of procedure. He noted that if further tests show the cancer has not spread, the Pope might not need additional treatments like chemotherapy — which uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells — or radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.

Because the surgery was performed using a scoping procedure rather than a large incision, Dr. Brawley believes the Pope could return to his normal routine within seven to ten days. This supports the possibility that the Pope may still be able to travel to South America in November for a planned 12-day trip, as he originally intended. The Vatican has not yet released the results of final tests to determine if any further medical action is required.

Since the news of the surgery broke, messages of support have arrived from across the globe. The Guardian reports that Britain’s King Charles, who is also receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, plans to write to the Pope privately. The two leaders met at the Vatican last October. Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted a message on social media, describing the Pope as a source of hope for billions of people. Other international figures, including the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have also expressed their support and prayers for a quick recovery.

However, not all reactions have been uniform. The Guardian noted that there has been no official response from Donald Trump or US Vice-President JD Vance. This silence follows recent disagreements between the Pope and Mr. Trump regarding the conflict in Iran. Despite these political differences, the primary focus for the Vatican and the Pope’s medical team remains his health and his return to his duties.

As the Pope continues his recovery, the Vatican has cancelled all of his official appointments until October 20. This period of rest is intended to ensure he regains his strength after the procedure. The Pope’s ability to remain active, including his history as a tennis player, is widely viewed by his doctors and supporters as a key factor in his expected return to health. For now, the global community waits for further updates on his condition as he continues his healing process in Rome.