Pope Leo to Make First Public Appearance After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo is set to make his first public appearance on Sunday, October 18, following surgery for lung cancer, the Vatican announced on Friday. The 71-year-old pontiff is showing steady improvement and has regained the ability to carry out normal daily activities independently. The Vatican also released the first images of the pope since his operation, showing him celebrating Mass and standing without assistance at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Doctors confirmed that Leo’s recovery is progressing well following surgery on Tuesday, during which they removed the lower lobe of his right lung after diagnosing lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. Blood tests and a chest X-ray showed continued improvement, according to the latest medical bulletin. However, the Vatican has not confirmed when he will be discharged from hospital, while doctors have yet to disclose the tumour’s size or whether the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Meanwhile, preparations are continuing for the pope’s planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. Although the Vatican has indicated that he intends to maintain his commitments, senior officials acknowledged that his schedule may need to be adjusted depending on his health. Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago expressed concern over the cancer diagnosis, saying the news was more serious than he had initially expected, while other cardinals and church members remain hopeful for the pope’s full recovery.

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