Pope Leo XIV smiles and waves on Sept. 2, 2026 in St. Peter’s Square. | Credit: Vatican Media
The Vatican said Pope Leo XIV’s recovery from surgery is “proceeding as normal” and said he still intends to travel to South America.
A statement released by the Holy See Press Office on the afternoon of October 14 from Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, the chief of Thoracic Surgery at the Hospital who performed the operation along with the medical team, have issued the following update on Pope Leo XIV’s postoperative recovery:
This morning, the Holy Father underwent the blood tests and chest X-ray scheduled after surgery. The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally: the values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed.
The Holy Father has undergone respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking around his room. He has resumed eating normally and has had breakfast and lunch.
Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, spoke to journalists this afternoon regarding the pope’s recovery after surgery to remove a lung nodule.
“He is having a normal postoperative course, and his blood values are within the normal range for the type of operation the Pope underwent,” Bruni said to the journalists gathered.
When journalists asked whether Leo’s trip to South America would be modified or cancelled, Bruni said the pope’s intention to travel remains unchanged.
“What I told you previously still stands. We have heard the Pope’s words about the trip, namely, his intention, his desire, and also the fact that he intends to go.”
Later, Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, told journalists that the Pope concelebrated Mass on Wednesday afternoon in a room specially prepared for the purpose on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital.
Source: Vatican News and EWTN News