In brief
After a successful lung nodule excision, Pope Leo XIV was seen leading a Mass on the tenth floor of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the first time in public since his surgery. Doctors confirmed the nodule was a lung adenocarcinoma, and post-op X‑ray showed a good recovery of the right lung. The Pope also called Russian President Vladimir Putin from the hospital to urge a ceasefire in the Ukrainian town of Oleshky, a gesture welcomed by the Kremlin. Following the operation, the pontiff thanked medical staff for their care and is expected to remain at the hospital for about a week to complete his recovery.
After a successful removal of a lung nodule in a month‑old operation, the 71‑year‑old pontiff was seen leading a Mass on the tenth floor of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the first public appearance since his surgery.
Doctors said the nodule was a well‑contained lung adenocarcinoma discovered during routine scans, and the operation was completed without complications. A chest X‑ray showed a good recovery of the operated lung, and the Pope has been undergoing ongoing treatment.
In a separate call, Pope Leo reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin from the hospital, advocating a ceasefire in the Ukrainian town of Oleshky amid a humanitarian crisis, a gesture that the Kremlin said was welcomed.
After the surgery, the Vatican said the pontiff awakened normally and stayed in the hospital for about a week to recover, during which he also thanked the medical and nursing staff for their care.
The images below show the Pope in a green cassock, leading chanting amid a makeshift altar and a simple wooden crucifix in the hospital room.
