lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV, 71, has undergone successful lung surgery earlier this week at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The pontiff was diagnosed with lung cancer following the procedure, which doctors have stated proceeded without complications. His medical team reports that he is making steady progress and can now "carry out normal daily activities with full independence." This news is significant as it marks his first public appearance since the surgery and diagnosis, with the Vatican announcing his plans to appear before the public on Sunday. Images released by the Vatican show him celebrating Mass from the hospital, providing the first visual confirmation of his condition since the operation. The successful surgery and his reported recovery are of considerable interest due to his public role and the nature of his illness.