Pope Leo to recite Angelus prayer in public Sunday: Vatican
Pope Leo XIV will recite the Angelus prayer in public on Sunday, the Vatican said in an update on Friday.
The Vatican did not say where the pontiff would speak on Sunday.
Asked whether the pope could be discharged from the hospital and return to the Vatican on Saturday, a spokesperson said doctors had established a time frame for his hospital stay.
"If that changes, they will communicate the change; we will let you know," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also said the pope's mood was good and confirmed that he had received letters and drawings from children.
"We sent the letters and drawings," the spokesperson said, adding that Leo had been able to celebrate Mass and give Communion.
The pope resumed work activities on Thursday, just days after undergoing an operation, the Vatican said.
Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, which is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for roughly 40% of all lung cancer cases, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.
Lung adenocarcinoma begins in cells in the lung that make mucus, called epithelial cells, which line the surface of the lungs, the American Cancer Society says.
Leo was in the operating room for about three hours, with the surgery itself lasting approximately 90 minutes, according to doctors.
The surgery was described as "successful" with no complications.
The Vatican previously said that his recovery at Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital was expected to last about a week.
The Vatican also said Leo had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the dire humanitarian situation in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine.
"During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, calling for a ceasefire to allow for the delivery of food and medical aid and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population," the office said.
The Kremlin, in its own readout of the call, said Putin expressed "sincere wishes" for Leo's "good health and a speedy recovery."
Putin thanked Leo for his willingness to help resolve the conflict but claimed the Ukrainian government was to blame for the poor conditions in Oleshky.
"The Vatican’s intention to help create conditions to ensure the safety of the city’s population and organize essential supplies was welcomed. The two sides agreed to coordinate their efforts on this matter," the Kremlin said.
