By — Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Nicole Winfield, Associated Press By — Colleen Barry, Associated Press Colleen Barry, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/doctors-say-pope-leos-lung-has-recovered-well-from-surgery-and-say-his-post-operative-tests-normal Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Doctors say Pope Leo's lung has recovered well from surgery and say his post-operative tests normal Nation Oct 15, 2026 9:11 AM EDT ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV's lung has recovered well from surgery to remove a cancerous nodule, and he resumed working from the hospital on Thursday, his doctors and the Vatican reported. Leo's post-operative tests remained within normal levels and his physiotherapy session Thursday involved full mobility exercises, with the pope going about his daily activities independently, said the update from Leo's personal doctor, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, Dr. Stefano Margaritora. WATCH: What we know about Pope Leo's lung cancer and prognosis "The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung," they reported. "Overall, his postoperative recovery is proceeding as expected." Grow your mind Subscribe to our Science Newsletter to explore the wide worlds of science, health and technology. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Separately, the Vatican said Leo had resumed working from the hospital, looking at documents, and had for a second day celebrated Mass with other priests in a special chapel set up for him near his room on the 10th floor of the hospital. The 71-year-old Leo had the lower right lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. READ MORE: Pope Leo is eating and recovering after cancer surgery, doctors say Doctors are still awaiting the results of tests to understand the precise molecular makeup of the cancer, whether it has spread beyond the lobe and whether any further treatment is necessary. Asked if any changes to Leo's planned trip to South America from Nov. 6-17 were expected, spokesman Matteo Bruni pointed to Leo's words on Sunday when he announced the discovery of the nodule and impending surgery. "Thank you for your prayers for the pastoral visit I will make to Peru," Leo said Sunday in Spanish, in a greeting delivered to a Peruvian group. The trip is also scheduled to include stops in Uruguay and Argentina. Leo is expected to remain hospitalized until at least Oct. 20. Colleen Barry reported from Milan. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Nicole Winfield, Associated Press By — Colleen Barry, Associated Press Colleen Barry, Associated Press
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV's lung has recovered well from surgery to remove a cancerous nodule, and he resumed working from the hospital on Thursday, his doctors and the Vatican reported. Leo's post-operative tests remained within normal levels and his physiotherapy session Thursday involved full mobility exercises, with the pope going about his daily activities independently, said the update from Leo's personal doctor, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, Dr. Stefano Margaritora. WATCH: What we know about Pope Leo's lung cancer and prognosis "The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung," they reported. "Overall, his postoperative recovery is proceeding as expected." Grow your mind Subscribe to our Science Newsletter to explore the wide worlds of science, health and technology. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Separately, the Vatican said Leo had resumed working from the hospital, looking at documents, and had for a second day celebrated Mass with other priests in a special chapel set up for him near his room on the 10th floor of the hospital. The 71-year-old Leo had the lower right lobe of his right lung removed on Tuesday after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. READ MORE: Pope Leo is eating and recovering after cancer surgery, doctors say Doctors are still awaiting the results of tests to understand the precise molecular makeup of the cancer, whether it has spread beyond the lobe and whether any further treatment is necessary. Asked if any changes to Leo's planned trip to South America from Nov. 6-17 were expected, spokesman Matteo Bruni pointed to Leo's words on Sunday when he announced the discovery of the nodule and impending surgery. "Thank you for your prayers for the pastoral visit I will make to Peru," Leo said Sunday in Spanish, in a greeting delivered to a Peruvian group. The trip is also scheduled to include stops in Uruguay and Argentina. Leo is expected to remain hospitalized until at least Oct. 20. Colleen Barry reported from Milan. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now