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Pope Leo XIV lung cancer surgery

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Pope Leo XIV delivers his first Angelus address since undergoing lung surgery.From: Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Angelus Address Following Lung Cancer Surgery

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By 17:59 UTC on October 18, Pope Leo XIV delivered his traditional Sunday Angelus address from the Apostolic Palace to thousands of pilgrims. The event marked his first public appearance since undergoing lung surgery. During the address, the 71-year-old pontiff thanked the medical staff at Rome's Gemelli Hospital and expressed solidarity with others facing illness.

The pope's public address followed his discharge from Gemelli Hospital on October 17, which was confirmed by 15:22 UTC. His release occurred earlier than initially anticipated after medical assessments showed that his remaining lung tissue had adapted sufficiently, allowing him to breathe and function independently without medical support. His lead surgeon stated that a full recovery is expected within ten days.

Following his return to the Vatican, the pontiff immediately resumed his diplomatic duties. On October 17, he held a phone call with the Russian president to press for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

How the story developed

On October 13, Pope Leo XIV underwent a scheduled 90-minute procedure at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to excise a localized pulmonary growth. During the operation, doctors successfully removed the lower lobe of his right lung. Vatican officials confirmed the surgery was completed without complications.

The following day, on October 14, the Vatican announced that the pontiff had been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. In response to the diagnosis and to accommodate his initial recovery, all papal audiences were canceled through October 20 while doctors awaited further histological test results. The diagnosis initially raised questions regarding his ability to undertake an upcoming diplomatic trip to South America.

The Pope's upcoming diplomatic trip to South America remains on schedule.From: Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Angelus Address Following Lung Cancer Surgery ·

Daily medical bulletins tracked the pope's postoperative rehabilitation, noting his steady improvement. On October 16, the Holy See published photographs of the pontiff leading a private liturgy in a makeshift chapel for the medical staff overseeing his recovery at Gemelli Hospital. The images served as his first visual appearance since the operation, addressing global speculation regarding his condition.

By October 17, four days after the lobectomy, doctors confirmed his clinical condition was satisfactory, leading to his discharge and return to the Vatican. The medical team determined he no longer required medical support for his breathing, allowing him to resume his daily activities independently and clearing the way for his subsequent public appearances.

Surgeons performed a video-assisted resection to remove the lower lobe of the pope's right lung.From: Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Hospital Following Lung Cancer Surgery ·

What to watch

  • Doctors are awaiting further histological test results following the removal of the cancerous lung lobe.
  • The pope is scheduled to undertake an 11-day diplomatic trip to Latin America in early November.
  • The pontiff's lead surgeon expects him to make a full recovery within ten days.

Charts, maps and images

The pontiff's rapid discharge cleared his schedule to resume diplomatic duties.From: Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Hospital Following Lung Cancer Surgery ·
The Vatican has provided regular updates since the pontiff's initial lung cancer diagnosis earlier this month.From: Vatican Releases First Photos of Pope Leo XIV Celebrating Mass After Lung Cancer Surgery ·
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung to ensure the radical extraction of the tumor.From: Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer Following Successful Removal of Right Lung Lobe ·
The pope's ambitious November travel schedule remains uncertain pending his postoperative recovery.From: Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer Following Successful Removal of Right Lung Lobe ·
Standard recovery timeline for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.From: Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Successful Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule at Rome's Gemelli Hospital ·
Thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square to welcome the pontiff's return.From: Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Angelus Address Following Lung Cancer Surgery ·
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The pontiff was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital ahead of schedule.From: Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Angelus Address Following Lung Cancer Surgery ·
International delegations celebrated the Pope's rapid recovery and return to public duties.From: Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Angelus Address Following Lung Cancer Surgery ·
The pontiff spent five days recovering on the 10th floor of the Agostino Gemelli hospital.From: Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Hospital Following Lung Cancer Surgery ·
The Vatican released photos of the pope celebrating Mass in a hospital chapel to project stability during his recovery.From: Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Hospital Following Lung Cancer Surgery ·
The pontiff is recovering in a specialized suite on the tenth floor of the Gemelli Hospital, often referred to as 'Vatican III.'From: Vatican Releases First Photos of Pope Leo XIV Celebrating Mass After Lung Cancer Surgery ·
The pontiff is recovering in a 10th-floor room at Rome's Gemelli Hospital following the 90-minute procedure.From: Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer Following Successful Removal of Right Lung Lobe ·
Vatican operations continue smoothly as the pontiff recovers from his medical procedure.From: Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Successful Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule at Rome's Gemelli Hospital ·

Timeline

October 2026

  1. Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Angelus Address Following Lung Cancer Surgery
  2. Pope Leo XIV Discharged From Hospital Following Lung Cancer Surgery
  3. Vatican Releases First Photos of Pope Leo XIV Celebrating Mass After Lung Cancer Surgery
  4. Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer Following Successful Removal of Right Lung Lobe
  5. Pope Leo XIV Undergoes Successful Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule at Rome's Gemelli Hospital