Pope Leo XIV is continuing his post-operative recovery in the Apostolic Palace after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The pope was discharged earlier than expected from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 17, after spending five days in the hospital.
“I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for me these past few days. I have truly felt your support. Thank you,” he said to applause after praying the Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square on October 18. The pope also thanked the doctors, nurses, and staff at the hospital.
Medical tests had detected a suspicious growth in the pope’s lung that was later confirmed to be a type of cancer that develops in glandular cells. Final examinations of the tissue removed during his surgery confirmed that the cancer was lung adenocarcinoma and it was localized; an oncological evaluation determined that no additional therapy was necessary. Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the lead thoracic surgeon who operated on the pope, said “the pope could be fully recovered in another 10 days or so.”
Dr. Margaritora said the medical team was “truly pleased” with the pope’s immediate post-operative recovery because he “was an absolutely ideal patient,” and he “truly put his heart and soul” into following the staff’s instructions. He noted that the pope quickly “got back on his feet and always did a little more than we asked of him.” The surgeon recalled a surprising moment when, “On the second day after the operation we turned around and found him arranging the chairs in the chapel himself.” He said staff told the pope, “We can do that,” but the pope insisted, “It doesn’t matter. I can do it, so I will.”
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