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Pope Leo Appears in First Images Since Lung Surgery, Celebrates Mass at Gemelli Hospital
RePope Leo Appears in First Images Since Lung Surgery, Celebrates Mass at Gemelli Hospital
The Vatican released the first photographs of Pope Leo since his lung cancer surgery, showing him standing and celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel at Gemelli Hospital. The 71-year-old pontiff is recovering steadily and is scheduled to lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday.
The Vatican has released the first images of Pope Leo since his lung cancer surgery, showing the 71-year-old pontiff standing and celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The photographs, made public on Friday, offered the first visual confirmation that Leo is recovering from the procedure, which involved the removal of part of his lung earlier in the week.
Leo led the midday Mass with off-duty medical and nursing staff from the hospital present, according to the Vatican. During his homily, the pope thanked the staff for their work caring for himself and for other patients who are sick. The Mass took place in a room on the tenth floor of the hospital, where a suite of rooms is reserved for any pope admitted for medical treatment.
The Vatican press office described the pope's condition as showing «steady improvement.» On Friday morning, Leo underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray, and doctors involved in his treatment said he is continuing respiratory physiotherapy sessions. His recovery now allows him to carry out normal daily activities independently, the Vatican added, noting that he is completely autonomous in movement and breathing.
Pope Leo will recite the traditional Angelus prayers on Sunday, which will mark his first public appearance since his treatment began. The news of his diagnosis has been received with shock inside the Vatican, where Leo was known as someone physically active and seen to be in good health.
Post-operative test results that would confirm whether the pope is completely cancer free and what, if any, further treatment is needed have not yet been released. The pope's engagements have been cancelled until 20 October, and it remains unclear whether his planned trip to Latin America from 6 to 17 November will take place. The Vatican, however, is continuing with preparations for the visit and on Friday posted the list of journalists who would travel with the pope to report on the trip.
The release of the images and the Vatican's updates have drawn widespread attention, particularly given the pope's previously active lifestyle and the unexpected nature of the diagnosis. The Gemelli Hospital, where the pope is being treated, has a long history of caring for pontiffs, and the tenth-floor suite is specifically designed to accommodate a pope's medical needs while allowing him to continue certain religious duties in privacy.
As Leo continues his recovery, the Vatican has not indicated any change to the schedule for the Angelus prayer on Sunday, which will be closely watched as the first sign of his return to public life. The pope's medical team has emphasized that his progress is being monitored carefully, and further updates are expected in the coming days.
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