Pope Leo XIV is recovering steadily four days after lung surgery, the Vatican said on Friday, October 16, while the Argentina leg of his November 6 to 17 tour still depends on what his doctors decide.
Blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed “constant improvement” in his general condition, the Holy See Press Office said in a bulletin. He continues respiratory physiotherapy and can carry out normal daily activities with full autonomy. The Vatican also released the first two photos since the operation, taken at noon at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he celebrated Mass on the 10th floor with off-duty doctors, nurses and Vatican gendarmes. In his homily he thanked the staff for caring for patients and for him.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope will lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday, October 18, his first public appearance since the surgery, without saying from where. His audiences are suspended until Tuesday, October 20. The Vatican also said the pope telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin from the hospital on Friday to voice concern for civilians in Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, and to ask for a ceasefire so food and medical aid can arrive. The Kremlin said Putin thanked the pope for his efforts toward a settlement in Ukraine and discussed the Vatican’s role in protecting Christians and Christian holy sites; its summary did not mention a ceasefire.
The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said on Thursday, October 15, that the November tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru depends on the doctors’ verdict: “We must wait.” Speaking to reporters at an event at the Iraqi embassy to the Holy See, he said: “If all goes well, if things develop as originally planned, the trip will take place,” adding that everything depends on the pope’s discharge from hospital and on what doctors say about “a long and demanding trip.” He also said that, depending on his recovery, the pope “could adjust his papacy, if such an adjustment proved necessary.”
The pope’s visit to Argentina is scheduled for November 8 to 11, with stops in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. Its press office said on October 14 that the pope’s wish is to make the trip. Uruguay’s Cardinal Daniel Sturla said the same day that doctors might not allow it now and that a decision would come within days. Peru’s president, Keiko Fujimori, said that recovery might take longer than expected.
Dr. Stefano Margaritora’s team removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung on October 13, and the Vatican said tissue examined during the operation confirmed a lung adenocarcinoma. Doctors are still waiting for the full analysis of the tissue, including the tumor’s genetic profile, whether it spread and whether further treatment is needed. Doctors consulted by Clarín estimated the analysis takes 10 to 15 days.
