Pope Leo XIV’s recovery is “proceeding as expected” following his surgery on Tuesday, the Vatican said.
The pope underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray following surgery and “the results confirm a normal postoperative course: the values are within the normal range for the type of surgery performed,” according to the Vatican.
Leo had respiratory physical therapy and was eating regularly, the Vatican said, adding that his recovery “is proceeding as expected.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the Vatican press office said the pope had a “peaceful” night in the hospital following surgery.
The pontiff was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery to have the lower lobe of his right lung removed, the Vatican said on Tuesday.
Dr. Luigi Carbone and professor Stefano Margaritora said the pontiff underwent a minimally invasive camera-guided surgical procedure, according to the Vatican.
“The intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected by the preoperative tests,” the Vatican said.
Leo was in the operating room for about three hours, which included about 90 minutes for the “successful” surgery, the Vatican said.
He’s recovering at Gemelli Hospital, the largest hospital in Rome and the primary medical facility used by popes, including Leo’s immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, who died in 2025 at the age of 88.
Peru’s president, Alberto Fujimori, said Wednesday that Leo’s scheduled South American tour may change due to his health.
Fujimori expressed that he and millions of other Peruvians were praying for the pontiff’s “swift recovery.”
“We will also be attentive to any statement from the Vatican, because we understand this recovery will take several weeks, longer than expected,” Fujimori said in Spanish. “Therefore, we also understand there could be some change in the schedule of his visit. We hope his recovery is swift and imminent, and that his visit can take place, but we will also understand if otherwise. The important thing here is that His Holiness the pope recovers his health.”
Leo, a Chicago native and the first American pope, who was previously Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected the church’s 267th pontiff in May 2025.
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago said in a statement that the pope’s diagnosis was “not the news we hoped for,” but added that he and his archdiocese were “heartened by the skill and optimism of his physicians and the countless prayers offered around the world for his complete recovery.”
“I ask that the people of good will everywhere, but particularly here, in Pope Leo’s hometown join me in asking the Lord to return this son of Chicago to wellness,” Cupich said. “He has much more good work to do, many more wise words to preach and many more ways to inspire others.”
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