16.10.2026 17:20
The Vatican Press Office reported that tests performed today after surgery on Pope Leo XIV, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer, showed stable improvement. The first photos of the 71-year-old Pope, who is continuing respiratory physiotherapy, from the Mass at the hospital were shared.
It was reported that the tests performed today after the surgery that Vatican Head of State Pope Leo XIV underwent on October 13 to remove a mass (nodule) detected in his lung confirmed a stable improvement in his general condition.
A written statement was issued by the Vatican Press Office regarding the health condition of the Pope, who underwent surgery on his lung last Tuesday at Gemelli Hospital in Rome and was consequently diagnosed with lung cancer.
“THERE IS A STABLE IMPROVEMENT IN HIS GENERAL CONDITION”
The statement included the following: “This morning, the Pope underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray. As a result of these, it was confirmed that there is a stable improvement in his general condition. Respiratory physiotherapy sessions continued. Post-surgery recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely independently.”
FIRST POST-SURGERY PHOTOS SHARED
Meanwhile, the Vatican also shared with the public the first photos of the 71-year-old Pope, who continues to stay in the hospital due to his recovery period, taken from the Mass he presided over in the hospital chapel after the surgery.
The Italian ANSA agency, in its report based on the Vatican Press Office, stated that the Pope is expected to perform his traditional Sunday prayer, but it is not clear whether this will be in the hospital or somewhere else, in a different format.
HE WATCHED THE ROMA-REAL MADRID MATCH
In other reports in the Italian press, it was also noted that the Pope watched the Roma-Real Madrid match played on October 14 in the UEFA Champions League, which ended with a 4-3 score and a victory for the visiting Spanish team.
“THE POPE MAY RESHAPE HIS PAPACY”
On the other hand, Vatican Secretary of State (Prime Minister) Cardinal Pietro Parolin also told journalists that, in light of the lung cancer diagnosis, the Pope could make changes in the functioning of his papacy if he deemed it necessary.
Cardinal Parolin, drawing attention to the fact that the Pope has been in the hospital for several days, commented: “It is impossible to make any prediction. We need to see when he will return, what his condition will be when he returns, and what the doctors will say. Based on all these factors, the Pope may reshape his papacy; of course, if such a reshaping is truly needed.”
THE POPE ANNOUNCED ON OCTOBER 11 THAT HE WOULD HAVE SURGERY
Pope Leo XIV, during the traditional Sunday prayer he delivered on October 11 from the window of the Vatican office overlooking St. Peter's Square, said: “Doctors detected a mass in my lung. Doctors believe that intervention is appropriate, and therefore, on their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove the nodule. The surgery was planned to be performed within the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers.”
LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA DIAGNOSIS CONFIRMED
In a written statement from the Vatican after the October 13 surgery, it was stated that the 90-minute operation was successful, and it was assessed: “The lower lobe of the Pope's right lung was removed using video-assisted radical surgery. As suspected in preoperative tests, the histological examination performed confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.”
ALL HIS PROGRAMS WERE CANCELED UNTIL OCTOBER 20
Before the surgery as well, the Vatican had announced that all the Pope's programs were canceled until October 20 for his recovery.
Meanwhile, media reports noted that the Pope decided to have surgery immediately so as not to cancel his South American trip covering Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru on November 6-17.
HE WAS ELECTED POPE IN THE CONCLAVE
After the death of the Vatican's previous head of state, Pope Francis, on April 21, 2025, the then-cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States, who was elected Pope in the Conclave (Papal Election) held on May 8, 2025, in Vatican City, the center of the Catholic Church, took the name “Pope Leo XIV.”