Pope Leo 'has resumed his work activities' as his recovery continues: Vatican
Pope Leo XIV resumed work activities just days after undergoing an operation, the Vatican press office said on Thursday.
The pope, 71, was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery this week to have the lower lobe of his right lung removed.
"The pope has resumed his work activities. He concelebrated mass again today at about noon," the press office said in a statement.
The pope met Thursday afternoon at the hospital with Monsignor Paolo Rudelli, substitute of the Secretariat of State, the Vatican press office said later.
The updates came after the press office said earlier that the pontiff had a good night's sleep.
"The Pope slept well last night in the hospital; he got up and had breakfast," the Vatican's earlier statement said.
The Vatican said his recovery at Rome's Agostino Gemelli University Hospital was expected to last about a week.
On Wednesday, the Vatican said Pope Leo's recovery is "proceeding as expected."
The pope underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray following surgery and "the results confirm a normal postoperative course: the values are within the normal range for the type of surgery performed," according to the Vatican.
Pope Leo had respiratory physical therapy and was eating regularly as well as walking around his room.
Pope 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.
Pope 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.
Pope Leo, a Chicago native and the first American pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected the church's 267th pontiff in May 2025.
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago said in a statement that the pope's diagnosis was "not the news we hoped for," but added that he and his archdiocese were "heartened by the skill and optimism of his physicians and the countless prayers offered around the world for his complete recovery."
"I ask that the people of good will everywhere, but particularly here, in Pope Leo’s hometown join me in asking the Lord to return this son of Chicago to wellness," Cupich said. "He has much more good work to do, many more wise words to preach and many more ways to inspire others."
