Pope Leo XIV will remain in the hospital for about a week. He underwent surgery on Tuesday, during which part of his right lung was removed due to a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer in the world.
Pope's Recovery Status
The first night of the Pope's hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome was reported as "calm," and doctors have stated that his recovery is proceeding normally. The Pope is currently undergoing respiratory physiotherapy, walking in his room, and "eating normally." While further tests are being conducted on the removed cancerous tissue, doctors are exploring future treatment options.
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Reactions to the Pope's Illness
The 71-year-old Pope recently mentioned his health condition during Sunday prayers in St. Peter's Square and revealed the discovery of a "localized nodule" in his lung. He thanked the people for their "spiritual closeness" and entrusted himself to their prayers. Following the news of his diagnosis, people from around the world have sent their well-wishes. High-ranking officials, including Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, have wished him a speedy recovery.
While the Pope focuses on his recovery, all of his engagements have been canceled until October 20. This has raised questions about how the Church will be managed in the Pope's absence.
The Pope's Role in the Church
As the Bishop of Rome, the Pope is described under Catholic law as the "head of the College of Bishops, the Vicar of Christ, and the pastor of the universal Church on earth," holding significant legal and religious authority. Miles Pattenden, a Catholic Church historian at the University of Oxford, states that the Pope is essentially "the person who makes executive decisions about how the Church is run." He is also recognized as an important international figure, often speaking on significant issues such as artificial intelligence and migration.
Pope Leo is scheduled to embark on a 12-day trip to Latin America on November 6, which will include a stop in Peru, the country of which he is a citizen. This trip is planned to proceed as scheduled.
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