Pope Leo XIV announced on Friday that he is recovering quickly and well after lung surgery and is set to hold the Angelus prayer during his first public appearance on Sunday. However, Vatican representatives did not specify whether he would say this prayer in St. Peter's Square or from the hospital.
Surgery and Recovery Details
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, said on Friday that holding the prayer from the hospital is possible but depends on the Pope's recovery after the operation. Pope Leo, who is 71 years old, surprised 1.4 billion Catholics last week by announcing the need for surgery. Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, which was affected by lung cancer (adenocarcinoma), on Monday, October 13.
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Biopsy Results and Travel Plans
Doctors are awaiting the results of the Pope's biopsy, which will determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of his body. This information will help them decide if he needs additional treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy.
The Vatican announced on Friday that Pope Leo will continue his daily activities independently, and images of him conducting religious ceremonies at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome were released. In these images, the Pope is seen wearing ceremonial robes and standing next to his personal secretary, Eduardo Rimaychuna, a Peruvian priest.
According to doctors, blood tests and chest imaging have confirmed his stable recovery. A Vatican spokesperson said, "Currently, we have not received any information from the doctors about when he will be discharged, other than that it was initially stated that the discharge time would be about a week."
Cardinal Parolin also stated that "the question now is when he will return, under what conditions he will return, and what the doctors' opinions are. Based on all these factors, the Pope will then decide whether to make any changes to his papacy and work."
One of the first questions raised about Pope Leo's hospitalization and surgery was whether he would be able to make the planned trip to South America in the coming weeks. However, the Vatican announced on Friday that planning for the trip is continuing, and the names of journalists accredited to travel with the Pope to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17 were released.
