The Holy See Press Office released a new medical bulletin on Pope Leo XIV’s health via email this Wednesday. It includes information from Dr. Luigi Carbone, Director of Health and Hygiene of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, head of the thoracic surgery team that operated on the Pope, according to Vatican News.
«This morning the Holy Father underwent the scheduled blood tests and chest X-ray following the procedure. The results confirm a regular postoperative course: the values are within the normal range for the type of intervention performed,» the statement reads.
The text adds that the Pontiff «has performed respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking around the room.» He has also «resumed a regular diet» and has already had breakfast and lunch. The bulletin concludes: «The evolution is progressing as expected.»
Adenocarcinoma confirmed in the operating room
Leo XIV, 71, underwent surgery on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 13. Upon completion, the Press Office announced via its Telegram channel that the procedure had concluded «positively, within the expected time and manner,» according to Vatican News.
The medical bulletin released at 9:53 p.m. specified that the Pope remained in the operating room for about three hours and that the procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes. «To ensure the intervention was radical,» the lower lobe of his right lung was removed using video-assisted technique. According to the same bulletin, «the extemporaneous histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative tests.»
The Holy See reported this morning that the Pope had spent a «quiet» night. His engagements are suspended until October 20. Meanwhile, he will spend his postoperative recovery on the tenth floor of the Gemelli, which John Paul II referred to as «Vatican 3,» as recalled by Avvenire.