Pope Leo shows continued improvement after lung cancer surgery
publishers 180articles 236first reported 11 Oct, 15:20 UTCdeveloping since 11 Oct · 18 editionstop 25 #7
Pope Leo XIV is showing “continued improvement” after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said Friday, releasing the first images of the pontiff since the operation.
The 71-year-old pope underwent a 90-minute procedure at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday after doctors identified a suspicious lung nodule. Tests confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. The Vatican said the operation was successful and without complications, and that Leo spent a peaceful first night in the hospital.
A medical update signed by Leo’s personal physician and Gemelli’s head of thoracic surgery said his recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities independently. Photos released Friday showed him standing at an altar and celebrating Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Leo distributed Communion to medical staff and Vatican gendarmes and thanked hospital workers in his homily.
Bruni said the pope plans to make his first public appearance since surgery on Sunday to deliver the traditional noontime prayer. His appointments have been canceled through Oct. 20, and he is expected to remain hospitalized for several days.
The Vatican has not said whether Leo will require additional cancer treatment. It has also not disclosed the tumor’s size or whether the disease had reached nearby lymph nodes. During his recovery Friday, Leo spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged a truce in the war with Ukraine, according to the Vatican.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 124 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- 180
- Source articles
- 236
- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 124 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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