Pope Leo Appears in First Images Since Lung Surgery, Celebrates Mass at Gemelli Hospital
The Vatican released the first photographs of Pope Leo since his lung cancer surgery, showing the 71-year-old standing and celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel at Gemelli Hospital, where he remains under care and is showing steady improvement.
The Vatican has released the first images of Pope Leo since his lung cancer surgery, showing the 71-year-old pontiff standing and celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The photographs mark a significant moment in his recovery and offer the public its first glimpse of the pope since he underwent the removal of part of his lung earlier in the week.
Leo led the midday Mass on Friday in a room on the hospital's 10th floor, a suite of rooms reserved for papal medical treatment. Off-duty medical and nursing staff from Gemelli Hospital attended the service. During his homily, the pope thanked the staff for their work caring for him and for others who are sick, according to the Vatican.
The Vatican press office described the pope's condition as showing «steady improvement.» On Friday morning, Leo underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray. Doctors involved in his treatment said he is continuing respiratory physiotherapy sessions and that his recovery now allows him to carry out normal daily activities independently. The Vatican added that the 71-year-old is completely autonomous in movement and breathing.
Post-operative test results that would confirm whether the pope is completely cancer free and what further treatment, if any, is needed have not yet been released. The news of the pope's diagnosis was met with shock inside the Vatican, where Leo is known as someone who is physically active and was widely seen to be in good health.
The Vatican also announced that Pope Leo will recite the traditional Angelus prayers on Sunday, which will be his first public appearance since his treatment. His engagements have been cancelled until October 20. It remains unclear whether his planned trip to Latin America from November 6 to 17 will take place. The Vatican, however, is continuing preparations for the visit and on Friday posted the list of journalists who would travel with the pope to report on the trip.
The release of the images and the pope's participation in Mass come as a reassuring sign for Catholics around the world who have been awaiting updates on his health. The Vatican has promised to continue providing regular medical bulletins as the pope's recovery progresses.
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