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

Pope Leo XIV is up and moving after having part of his lung removed.

After undergoing thoracic surgery Tuesday, during which surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung, examination of the tissue confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, or lung cancer, according to the Vatican.

The pope, 71, has spent four days recovering at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, following the successful procedure.

DR MARC SIEGEL: POPE LEO'S LUNG SURGERY PUTS MODERN MEDICINE ALONGSIDE FAITH On Friday, the Vatican released the first photos of Pope Leo after the operation.

The pope is pictured standing at an altar in green vestments, celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel at the hospital where he distributed communion.

According to a Holy See Press Office statement, several members of Gemelli’s medical and nursing staff and members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps attended the service.

POPE LEO'S LUNG TUMOR RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT CANCER RISK FOR NONSMOKERS "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," the statement said.

The Vatican also confirmed on Friday that the pope’s recovery continues with "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." Pope Leo plans to make his first public appearance since the procedure on Sunday during the noon-day Angelus, which he normally leads.

NEVER SMOKED A CIGARETTE? YOU COULD STILL BE AT HIGHER RISK FOR LUNG CANCER Fox News senior medical analyst Dr.

Marc Siegel said the pope’s procedure included a small incision with VAT (video-assisted thoracoscopy), which involves less pain and has a quicker recovery.

The pope was in good health "to begin with" and is highly active, which plays a "major role in recovery," Siegel, who has not treated the Pope, told Fox News Digital.

"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," the doctor added.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER In a separate Fox News Digital interview, Lary Robinson, M.D., an oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, shared his surprise regarding the pope’s health status.