Pope Leo XIV has gotten out of bed, walked, eaten and undergone respiratory physiotherapy, according to a doctor's note released by the Vatican a day after his lung cancer surgery.
Doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora said blood tests and chest X-rays showed "normal post-surgical" progress, with indicators "within the expected range for the type of procedure performed."
The two doctors added: "The Holy Father has undergone respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking around the room. He has returned to a normal diet, eating breakfast and lunch."
"The recovery process is proceeding according to plan," the doctors said.
Partial lung removal
The 71-year-old pope was diagnosed with cancer after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, according to the medical bulletin released by the Vatican on Tuesday.
The Vatican said tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, noting that the diagnosis had been suspected before surgery. The Vatican did not provide details on the recovery prognosis or treatment plan.
According to the Vatican, the surgery lasted 90 minutes and was "successful, with no complications."
The medical statement shared by the Holy See Press Office after the surgery described the lobe removal as "radical," indicating that doctors removed all suspicious tissue in the hope of erasing any remaining traces of cancer.
After the procedure, Pope Leo returned to his room at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he is expected to recover for a week, with all audiences through October 20 canceled.
The Vatican said doctors have not yet discussed chemotherapy or other therapies, pending the results of further tests.
