The Vatican confirmed on Thursday that Pope Leo XIV is recovering favorably following lung surgery performed two days earlier. The Holy See released a medical bulletin detailing the pontiff’s condition at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he remains hospitalized after the procedure to remove pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Medical Update

The postoperative assessment was prepared by the Pope’s personal physician, Luigi Carbone, and surgeon Stefano Margaritora. The bulletin reported that progress on the second day after surgery was positive. Routine follow-up examinations, including blood tests and a chest X-ray, yielded normal results.

“The chest X-ray showed a good recovery of the operated lung,” the Vatican medical statement read. The lower right lobe of the lung was removed during the operation on Oct. 13, 2026. The diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma was confirmed following the surgery.

The pontiff spent a “good” second night at the hospital. According to the bulletin, Pope Leo XIV independently carried out daily activities and participated in a physical therapy session that included full motor activity. The postoperative course continues to progress regularly.

Pastoral Activities Continue

Despite his recovery, the Pope continued his pastoral duties from the hospital. On Thursday, he concelebrated Mass with a collaborator in a temporary chapel set up within Gemelli Hospital. He also received Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, the deputy for general affairs of the Secretariat of State.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, stated that the pope continued working during his recovery. The Holy See announced two new bishop appointments signed by Leo XIV from the hospital bed. Father Paolo Andreolli was appointed bishop of Ponta de Pedras in Brazil. Father Ignazio Ding Zuyao was appointed bishop of Haimen in Jiangsu Province, China.

The Vatican has not yet announced whether the Pope will lead the Angelus prayer from Gemelli Hospital on Sunday. The pontiff previously announced the surgery for a lung nodule during last Sunday’s Angelus address.

Prayers and Future Plans

The Vicariate of Rome confirmed that a special intention for the Holy Father will be offered in all parishes of the Diocese of Rome this Sunday. Cardinal Angelo Comastri led a rosary invoking Mary Undoer of Knots at 8 p.m. Rome time at the Pontifical Parish of St. Anne in the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6-17, 2026. The upcoming trip remains on the calendar as the pontiff continues his recovery. In a message regarding the visit, Pope Leo XIV said, “Thank you for your prayers for the pastoral visit that I will make to Peru.”