By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Pope Leo XIV has appeared in the first photographs released by the Vatican since undergoing a successful lung surgery and being diagnosed with lung cancer.
The 71-year-old pontiff was pictured celebrating Mass at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, wearing green vestments and standing behind a makeshift altar on the hospital’s tenth floor.
The Vatican press office said the Pope celebrated Mass with medical and nursing staff and thanked them for their service.
His appearance came after doctors removed the entire lower lobe of his right lung during surgery on Tuesday. The Vatican said the operation was successful and proceeded without complications.
Doctors reported on Friday that tests showed “a steady improvement in his general condition” since the operation. A chest X-ray also indicated “good recovery of the operated lung.”
The Pope had announced before the surgery that doctors had found a “well-contained” lung nodule at an early stage and recommended its removal.
Although lung nodules are not always cancerous, medical examinations confirmed that the growth was cancerous, as suspected before the operation. The Vatican identified the condition as lung adenocarcinoma.
It said the Pope had shown no symptoms of infection or illness before the procedure. After surgery, he woke up normally and returned to his room following a brief period of observation. He later had a peaceful night at the hospital.
Also on Friday, Pope Leo spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky, where thousands of people have been cut off from food and water.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said he hoped Putin’s decision to take the call would help ensure the Pope’s request was carried out.
