Exams of Pope Leo XIV show good lung recovery, says Vatican

Exams of Pope Leo XIV showed a good recovery of his lung after surgery that removed part of the organ, according to a medical bulletin released this Thursday (15) by the Vatican.

The pontiff has been hospitalized since undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from his right lung. According to previously released medical reports, the procedure was completed without complications.

This Thursday, doctors also said that he underwent routine tests, with normal results. The pope also carried out normal activities this Thursday and underwent physiotherapy.

Earlier, doctors said, in another bulletin, that the pope spent the night well in the hospital and had breakfast this Thursday (15), the Vatican said in a brief statement released in the morning.

On Wednesday (14), the Vatican reported that Leo XIV had already resumed eating and was walking through the hospital corridors during his recovery. Tests carried out during surgery confirmed that the tumor was pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.

Also on Wednesday, the pope released a message in which he thanked the prayers received from faithful around the world and asked them to continue praying for his recovery.

"Entrusting each of you to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth, I ask you please to pray for me, as I pray for you", he wrote.

The message was sent to participants at a Catholic Church meeting that he was unable to participate in because of his hospitalization. In the text, Leo XIV stated that he intends to analyze the results of the discussions and present his reflections at an opportune moment.

The surgery removed the lower lobe of the right lung using a video-assisted technique. According to doctors, the cancer was identified after tests carried out because of a previously detected nodule.

The Vatican did not provide a discharge forecast, but has been releasing daily updates on the pontiff's health status.