Vatican Releases First Photos of Pope Leo Celebrating Mass Following Successful Lung Surgery in Rome

The Vatican has released the first official photographs of Pope Leo following a successful surgical procedure to remove a cancerous nodule from his lung at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.

In a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office on Friday, the Vatican confirmed that the Pontiff celebrated Holy Mass at noon in his 10th-floor hospital suite, demonstrating steady recovery and improved mobility following the intervention.

The intimate Eucharistic celebration was attended by off-duty Gemelli medical and nursing staff alongside members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps assigned to his security detail.

“In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff—doctors, nurses, and orderlies—for the work they do every day caring for patients in their frailty, and especially for what they have done and continue to do for him.” — Holy See Press Office Statement

Medical updates from Vatican News indicate that the Pope is showing consistent, steady clinical improvement, adhering to post-operative physical and respiratory therapy, and gradually resuming light administrative duties from his hospital suite.