Pope resumes work after favourable lung check-up
According to the Vatican, the checks are normal and his recovery after the operation is progressing as expected.
Follow-up to: Pope Leo XIV begins recovery after lung surgery Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 16:28
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Pope Leo XIV worked again from hospital on Thursday and underwent physiotherapy. The Vatican reported that blood tests and an X-ray showed normal results, while the outcome of additional tissue tests is still awaited.
The pope underwent routine checks at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Thursday. According to the Vatican’s medical bulletin, the results were normal for this type of procedure, and an X-ray showed good recovery of the operated lung.
Leo XIV underwent surgery on Tuesday after an examination found a malignant abnormality in his right lung. The lower lobe was removed during the procedure. The Vatican has not yet said whether follow-up treatment will be needed.
According to his doctors, the 71-year-old pope is carrying out his daily activities independently. His physiotherapy session consisted of exercises using a full range of motion. Matteo Bruni, head of the Holy See’s press office, also said that the pope had resumed his work from hospital.
Leo concelebrated Mass in the hospital on Thursday for the second day in a row. That does not mean that he has already resumed his public programme. The Vatican had previously cancelled all scheduled audiences through 20 October.
The medical information remains limited to the daily bulletins. The biopsy results must still establish whether the disease has spread beyond the area that was removed. No final decision has yet been announced on the implications for planned foreign trips either.
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The medical update is based on the Vatican’s bulletin and independent reporting on it. Unknown aspects, such as the biopsy results and follow-up treatment, have been explicitly described as uncertain.
- confirmed The checks and X-ray were normal for the type of procedure. — Reported in the medical bulletin cited by ANSA. source
- confirmed Leo XIV resumed work from hospital. — The Vatican press office and AP report this. source
- confirmed The lower lobe of the right lung was removed. — Vatican News describes the procedure. source
- confirmed The results of additional tissue tests are not yet known. — ANSA reports that biopsies must still establish whether the disease has spread. source
Editor's note
The improvement and resumption of limited work have been confirmed. The further prognosis, any follow-up treatment and travel plans remain uncertain.Sources
The story so far
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 12:59 Pope Leo XIV admitted for lung operation
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 20:59 Pope Leo XIV successfully operated on for lung nodule
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 22:58 Vatican confirms lung cancer in Pope Leo XIV
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 04:57 Ill pope formally remains in charge of the Church
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 16:28 Pope Leo XIV begins recovery after lung surgery
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 18:31 Pope resumes work after favourable lung check-up (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „paus leo xiv”
- RTL Nieuws — „paus leo xiv”
- NOS — „paus leo xiv”