Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at Gemelli hospital after lung surgery
Pope Leo XIV was photographed celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, October 16, 2026, after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung on October 13. The Vatican released the images as doctors noted the “continued improvement” of his recovery. The photos show the pontiff standing at the altar in green vestments, while one image captures him with hands joined in prayer and another during the consecration with his secretary at his side.
Medical Bulletins Confirm Steady Post-Operative Recovery
The 71-year-old pontiff stood unaided in green liturgical vestments, delivering a homily and distributing Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes present in the room. In his homily, Leo thanked the hospital staff “for the work they do every day taking care of the sick in their fragility, and in a particular way what they had done for him.” A medical update signed by Leo’s personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, stated that blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed steady improvement in his overall condition.
Respiratory physiotherapy sessions continued as part of his post-operative protocol. The medical team reported that his favorable recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities completely on his own. Doctors noted the surgery was completed without complications, though they have not yet disclosed the tumor’s size or if the disease spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Letters from Hospitalized Children
While recovering in his room on Friday, the pope received drawings and letters from young patients in the hospital’s pediatric oncology department. Among the writers was Angelo, a 7-year-old from Taurisano in the province of Lecce, who has been hospitalized for 36 days and underwent head surgery. Writing from the 10th floor, Angelo included a drawing of birds flying over a meadow under a large yellow sun and wrote, “My mom and I pray for you every night,” while wishing the pope “a speedy recovery.”
Maria Graziela, mother of Eleonora—who recovered after treatment in oncology and neurosurgery units—sent a message stating “Faith moves mountains” and that “God has heard our prayers.” She wrote, “Pope Leo, our prayers are for you.”
Vatican Prepares for Sunday Angelus and South American Tour
Vatican officials worked on logistics for the traditional noontime prayer on Sunday, with cables laid at the hospital for a potential live broadcast. Spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that Leo would deliver the prayer, though the exact broadcast location remained under review.
Preparations for an upcoming international journey also moved ahead. The Vatican published a roster of journalists accredited to fly on the papal aircraft for a scheduled November 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, signaling that organizational plans for the tour remained active despite earlier questions regarding the pontiff’s health. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori had previously speculated the trip might be delayed.
Cardinals React to Pope's Cancer Diagnosis
The sudden cancer diagnosis of a pope elected in May 2025 prompted reflections among senior church officials regarding the future pace of the papacy. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, told Italian agencies that predictions could not be made until doctors established clear discharge timelines and return conditions. “We can’t make any type of predictions,” Parolin said Thursday, according to the LaPresse and ANSA news agencies.
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich stated in an interview with the magazine America that he had been shocked by the diagnosis, noting that the pontiff had downplayed health issues prior to his admission. Medical teams awaited further molecular and genetic test results to determine whether the adenocarcinoma had spread beyond the removed lower lobe of the right lung.
Discharge Timeline
All appointments on Leo’s schedule through Oct. 20 have been canceled. While the Vatican has not ruled out an earlier discharge, doctors have not changed the current timeline for his release, which is expected next Tuesday.