Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in a hospital in the first photos released since the operation | Today’s news
The Vatican on Friday released the first photo of Pope Leo XIV since his surgery, as the pontiff attended Mass at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Doctors also reported a steady improvement in his overall health.
According to the Holy See’s press office, Pope Leo celebrated Mass at noon in a renovated room on the 10th floor of the hospital where he is recovering from Tuesday’s surgery.
Medical staff attend Mass at Gemelli Hospital
The Mass was attended by several members of the hospital’s medical and nursing team, along with staff from the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps.
In a post on X, the Vatican said the Pope thanked the medical staff for their continued care and support during his hospital stay.
“In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff – doctors, nurses and paramedics – for the work they do every day in caring for patients in their weakness, and especially for what they have done and continue to do for him,” the press office of the Holy See said.
Blood tests and a chest x-ray show continued improvement
In a separate health update, the Holy See’s press office said the latest blood tests and a chest X-ray indicated the pope’s condition continued to improve.
“On his fourth day in hospital, Pope Leo XIV’s doctors say new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirm ‘sustained improvement in his overall condition,'” the statement said.
The Vatican added that the Pope continues to undergo respiratory physiotherapy and carry out his normal daily activities completely independently as he recovers.
The 71-year-old pontiff was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday for surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after a mass was detected. Intraoperative tissue analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.
The operation was performed using video-assisted technology and lasted approximately 90 minutes. The Vatican previously said the operation went without complications and that the pope had regained consciousness normally.
Previous medical updates also indicated that routine post-operative checks had yielded reassuring results and that the Pope’s recovery was progressing normally.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, was elected head of the Catholic Church in May 2025. His public engagements have been suspended during his hospitalization, with the Vatican previously saying he is expected to remain in hospital for about a week.
(With inputs from news agency ANI)
