Pope Leo recovery after lung cancer surgery is proceeding as expected, his doctors said, as the 71-year-old pontiff resumed some work from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung on Tuesday, October 13, and the Vatican said the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. The video-assisted procedure was led by Dr Stefano Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery.
Doctors give Pope Leo recovery update
Personal physician Dr Luigi Carbone and Dr Margaritora said post-operative tests remain within normal levels, a chest X-ray showed good recovery of the operated lung, and the Pope is moving around independently after physiotherapy that included full mobility exercises.
On Thursday he met Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, who handles much of the Holy See’s day-to-day administration, and for a second day celebrated Mass with priests in a chapel set up near his room, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
What happens next
Results are still awaited on the cancer’s molecular makeup and whether it has spread beyond the removed lobe, which will decide whether further treatment is needed. The Pope is expected to remain in hospital until at least next Tuesday, and audiences have been cancelled until October 20. His planned November 6 to 17 visit to Peru, Uruguay and Argentina has not yet been confirmed.
