On the third day after undergoing Pope Leo XIV lung surgery, the Pontiff’s recovery process was reported to be proceeding smoothly on October 15 (local time).
According to the Vatican news outlet, medical staff at the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, stated during a briefing that the Pope underwent a routine examination this morning and all results came back normal.
Chest X-rays also showed favorable recovery of the lungs, with the Pope performing daily activities independently and engaging in various physical activities during physical therapy sessions, indicating a normal postoperative recovery.
Meanwhile, Catholic believers including patients, medical staff, students, and employees visited the St. John Paul II Church inside the hospital to pray for the Pope’s speedy recovery, as reported by the ANSA news agency.
Previously, the Pope was hospitalized on the 13th due to a pulmonary nodule finding and underwent surgery to excise the lower lobe of his right lung, following which a biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma occurs when cancer cells originate in lung cells that have a fluid-secreting function. It accounts for about 40% of all lung cancers and is known to have a higher proportion among non-smokers who develop lung cancer.
At 71 years old, Pope Leo XIV was elected at a relatively younger age than his predecessors. He enjoys sports such as tennis and reportedly has no significant past medical history.
