Pope Leo, 71, Is Working From the Hospital After Lung Surgery

ANDREAS SOLARO / Andreas Solaro, Getty Images Pope Leo XIV, 71, is working from the hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from his lung.

“The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung,” Dr.

Luigi Carboni, Leo’s personal doctor, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital, reported.

“Overall, his postoperative recovery is proceeding as expected.” Leo’s postoperative tests remained normal, and he completed full mobility exercises during a physiotherapy session on Thursday.

The pope also continued his daily activities independently, working from the hospital.

The hospital set up a special chapel for him on the 10th floor, near his room.

For a second day, Leo celebrated Mass with other priests.

Leo was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, on Tuesday after having the lower lobe of his right lung removed.

Doctors are awaiting test results to determine the cancer’s exact makeup, whether it has spread beyond the affected lobe, and if further treatment is needed.

His recovery from surgery is expected to take a week, putting him at a full recovery by October 20.

Leo announced the planned procedure during his Sunday noon prayer in St.

Peter’s Square.

“The doctors believe it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed,” he told the crowd.

The pope has no known history of health problems and is not known to smoke, though it is unclear whether he smoked in his youth.