Pope Leo XIV seen for first time since lung cancer surgery amid major recovery milestone

Pope Leo XIV has been seen for the first time since undergoing lung cancer surgery, celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital in Rome as he recovers from the procedure. The 71-year-old pope had part of his right lung removed during thoracic surgery on Tuesday, with examination of the tissue confirming a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, according to the Vatican.

The pope spent four days recovering at the hospital after the successful procedure. On Friday, the Vatican released the first photos of Pope Leo after the operation, showing him standing at an altar in green vestments, celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel where he distributed communion.

Recovery Progress

On his fourth day in the hospital, Pope Leo XIV's doctors reported new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed "the steady improvement in his overall condition." Dr. Luigi Carbone and professor Stefano Margaritora added that the pope's "post-operative recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities entirely independently."

In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff — doctors, nurses and orderlies — for the work they do every day caring for patients in their frailty and especially for what they have done and continue to do for him.

Medical Analysis

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel explained the pope's procedure involved a small incision with VAT (video-assisted thoracoscopy), which causes less pain and has a quicker recovery. Since he wasn't a smoker and likely had very good underlying lung function, loss of a lobe, when there are three total on the right, shouldn't have a major impact on daily activity, especially with pain controlled, Siegel said.

Lary Robinson, an oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, noted that about 80% of lung cancers occur in people who smoke or have smoked, but also occurs among never-smokers. But he had surgery and had a lobectomy, so this is usually only done with people who have localized disease, and presumably he had localized disease. And hopefully that's a Stage 1 cancer, Robinson added.

Future Plans

If the pope's cancer is Stage 1, there is a "high chance" of cure — about 90% — depending on the size of the tumor, the oncologist said. The fact that he went straight to surgery suggests there was likely no evidence that the cancer had spread.

Pope Leo plans to make his first public appearance since the procedure on Sunday during the noon Angelus, which he normally leads. His anticipated trip to South America in November is reportedly still on schedule, though his participation remains in question based on recovery.