Pope Leo’s recovery was proceeding “as expected” Wednesday, with the pontiff walking inside his hospital room and reportedly joining in the celebration of Mass after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, the Vatican said.
Doctors performed routine blood work and a chest X-ray one day after surgeons at Gemelli Hospital removed the lower lobe of the 71-year-old pope’s right lung, where cancerous cells had been found.
The results showed a normal postoperative course, according to Dr. Luigi Carbone and Prof. Stefano Margaritora. “The values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed,” the physicians said in a statement.
Leo also underwent respiratory therapy and began walking around his room. Doctors said he was eating normally again, including breakfast and lunch.
“His recovery is proceeding as expected,” the medical team said.
The pope also reportedly concelebrated Mass Wednesday afternoon from Gemelli Hospital as he continued his recovery.
Medical specialists had suspected before the operation that Leo was suffering from adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer that had developed in his lung.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer. Its outlook depends largely on how early it is diagnosed, but the disease can be highly treatable when detected at an early stage, according to the Associated Press.
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Risk factors include smoking, secondhand-smoke exposure, air pollution and contact with substances such as asbestos or heavy metals. A family history of the disease may also increase the risk.
Despite his recent health concerns, Leo is still expected to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 through Nov. 17. The pope holds dual citizenship in Peru.
The Vatican has not indicated that the planned South America trip will be altered.
Although doctors generally recommend avoiding air travel for about three weeks after this type of surgery, the pope’s current recovery timeline would allow him to make the trip.
Officials said Leo spent about three hours in the operating room, while the procedure itself lasted approximately 90 minutes.
The pope first disclosed the medical concern publicly during a Sunday noon prayer service in St. Peter’s Square, telling worshippers that doctors had identified a “small, localized nodule” in his lung.
“The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it,” Leo said in Italian at the time.
The diagnosis marks the first major health challenge Leo has faced since taking the helm of the Catholic Church.
