ROME — Pope Leo XIV is recovering well after undergoing surgery Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, which was affected by pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
The medical report released by the Vatican was signed by his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who led the operation.
The bulletin said the Holy Father underwent scheduled "blood tests and a chest X-ray" Wednesday morning.
"The results confirm a normal postoperative course: The values are within the expected range for the type of surgery performed," the doctors said.
The bulletin also highlighted progress in his physical recovery.
"The Holy Father underwent respiratory physiotherapy and began walking around his room," the doctors reported, referring to an activity considered essential to recovery after lung surgery.
The physicians also said the pontiff had resumed his normal diet.
"Recovery is proceeding as expected," they said in the bulletin released by the Holy See, easing concerns that arose late Tuesday when the Vatican confirmed the cancer diagnosis.
A histological examination confirmed that the pope had pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
The first encouraging news came early Wednesday morning, following an anxious night. In a brief statement, the Vatican confirmed that the pope had spent a "peaceful night" and was continuing to recover from anesthesia in his room on the 10th floor of Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
A few hours later came confirmation that, despite his hospitalization, Leo remains able to carry out his responsibilities governing the Church.
At noon, the Holy See announced that the pontiff had accepted the resignation of Archbishop Bernard Bober from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Košice, Slovakia, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Marek Forgác of the same archdiocese as his successor.
He also appointed Bishop Wellington de Queiroz Vieira as the new metropolitan archbishop of Cuiabá, Brazil, transferring him from the Diocese of Cristalândia.
The pope's clinical progress will determine the course of his treatment over the coming weeks. Doctors continue to monitor his postoperative recovery closely before making decisions about the next stages of treatment and his schedule in the coming days.
For now, all his scheduled engagements remain canceled through next Tuesday.
Among the upcoming events awaiting confirmation is the Angelus on Sunday, Oct. 18. If his medical condition permits, the pope could lead the prayer from the hospital, a gesture that would be seen as an encouraging sign of his recovery.
Members of the pope's closest entourage, known in Vatican terminology as the papal household, remain at his side. They include his two personal secretaries, Peruvian Father Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga and Italian Father Marco Billeri.
A blessing from heaven
Meanwhile, Gemelli Hospital continues to receive expressions of affection and solidarity from faithful who have come from around the world.
Among them is Gina, a native of Lima, Peru, who was praying before the imposing statue of St. John Paul II in the courtyard of the Rome hospital.
For the past two years, she has cared for her husband, who has Parkinson's disease. He is currently hospitalized at Gemelli after developing an infection.
For Gina, being in the same hospital as the pope is more than a coincidence. She considers it a "blessing from heaven" that helps her endure her suffering.
"It gives me strength to think that my husband is suffering as a patient just a few yards from the Holy Father. I know his suffering is not in vain because we offer it to God," she told EWTN News.
For Gina, the circumstances have strengthened her faith and hope.
"That has given me more strength and more hope. Knowing that the pope is here helps me keep going," she said.
She happened to return from Peru, where she had traveled to visit family, on Oct. 11, after leaving Rome on Aug. 28. Her return coincided with the news of the pontiff's impending surgery.
"My mother called me the next day and asked how my husband was doing. When I told her that the pope was in the same hospital, she burst into tears: 'Blessed be God, blessed be God,'" Gina recalled.
She also described the excitement building in Peru ahead of Leo's planned visit.
"Choirs, folk groups, and many local residents are organizing to celebrate his arrival. He's going to see the children he baptized, the children who have grown up and are now adults. People adore him," she said.
Gina said she cannot imagine the pontiff having to cancel his planned trip to Latin America.
For now, however, the messages coming from the Vatican have been encouraging.
Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni emphasized that the tumor was "at an early stage" and that the nodule removed was "circumscribed and localized."
The statement released after the operation used the term "radicality" to indicate that doctors believe the lesion was completely removed.
Specialists also believe that the loss of a lung lobe should not have significant consequences for the daily life of a patient in Leo's physical condition.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Oct. 14, Bruni referred to the pope's "desire" to proceed with his trip scheduled for early November.
"We have heard the pope's words about the trip, and therefore his intention, his desire, and also the fact that ... he wants to go," the Vatican spokesman said.
This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
