BREAKING Pope Leo XIV has Another Successful Night and is Recovering - Vatican Confirms 1 Week Expected Hospital Stay

Pope Leo XIV Recovering Well Following Successful Lung Surgery

VATICAN CITY / ROME — Pope Leo XIV experienced a smooth second night of recovery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following a successful lung operation on Tuesday afternoon.

According to updates from the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father woke up refreshed on Thursday morning, got out of bed, and enjoyed breakfast.

“This morning, the Holy Father underwent routine checks, which yielded normal results. The chest X-ray showed good recovery of the lung that underwent surgery. He carried out his daily activities independently. His physiotherapy session included a full range of physical activities.” “Overall, his postoperative recovery is progressing normally.”

The three-hour medical procedure—which included 90 minutes of active surgery—was conducted on Tuesday by Chief of Thoracic Surgery Professor Stefano Margaritora alongside Dr. Luigi Carbone and their medical team. During the planned operation, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung. Tissue analysis confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which had been previously suspected during preliminary testing.

Medical staff reported no surgical complications, and recent diagnostic tests—including blood work and chest X-rays—show that the Pope’s post-operative recovery is progressing normally and as expected.

Pope Leo XIV has already begun walking around his hospital suite, participating in respiratory physiotherapy, and resuming his normal diet. Demonstrating his steady spirit, the Pope also concelebrated Mass on Wednesday afternoon in a private chapel set up inside his suite on the hospital’s 10th floor.

The Vatican confirmed that there are currently no changes to the Pope’s expected one-week hospital stay.

• Current Status: Pope Leo XIV had a peaceful second night at Gemelli Hospital in Rome and is recovering well, having resumed eating and moving around his room.

• Surgical Details: On Tuesday, the Pope underwent a successful 90-minute procedure (3 hours total in the operating room) to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

• Diagnosis: Tissue examined during surgery confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.

• Recovery Milestones:

  • Blood tests and chest X-rays confirm recovery is proceeding as expected.

  • The Pope has begun respiratory physiotherapy and light walking.

  • On Wednesday afternoon, he concelebrated Mass in a private room on the 10th floor of the hospital.

• Hospitalization Timeline: The Vatican maintains its original estimate of a one-week hospital stay.