«The Pope has spent the night well in the hospital, he has gotten up and had breakfast.» With this brief message, released through his Telegram channel on the morning of this Thursday, October 15, the Holy See Press Office has updated the information on the health status of Leo XIV, admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome since last Tuesday.
Analysis without surprises
The Vatican communiqué released on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 14, had already announced that the Pontiff underwent the scheduled blood tests and chest X-ray in the morning following the procedure. According to the Holy See, the results confirmed «a normal postoperative evolution.»
The operation took place on October 13. The thoracic surgery team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung using a video-assisted technique, in order to ensure a radical resection. The histological examination performed during the procedure itself confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma that had already been suspected from the preoperative tests. The surgery lasted about ninety minutes and, according to the medical report, concluded without complications.
The Holy See has not specified for now whether the Pontiff will need any subsequent treatment. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni had estimated a hospitalization of around one week, and the Pope’s audiences were canceled until October 20.
Mass on the tenth floor
Vatican News has also reported that Leo XIV concelebrated Mass on Wednesday afternoon in a room specially set up for this purpose on the tenth floor of the hospital, the same one where he is admitted. According to Rome Reports, the chapel in that area of the Gemelli is currently undergoing renovation work. International agencies had already indicated that the apartment reserved for popes in the hospital, which has a private chapel, is under renovation, so the Pontiff occupies a nearby room.
Vatican media have not detailed who presided over the celebration or who participated in it.
First hospitalization of the pontificate
Leo XIV announced the procedure on Sunday, October 11, after the recitation of the Angelus, explaining that a routine check-up had detected a pulmonary nodule at a very early stage and that he had decided to follow the doctors’ advice. This is the Pope’s first hospitalization, at the age of 71, since his election on May 8, 2025.
The Gemelli is the usual hospital for pontiffs. His predecessor, Francis, received treatment there shortly before his death in April 2025.