Pope Leo celebrates Mass in hospital as doctors report steady recovery
First photos of Pope Leo XIV after lung cancer surgery show him celebrating Mass as doctors report steady recovery and he speaks to Putin about Ukraine crisis.
Pope Leo XIV, the 71-year-old pontiff, underwent surgery to remove part of his right lung after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The Vatican has since released the first photographs of him since the operation, showing him celebrating Mass from his hospital bed as part of efforts to reassure the Catholic faithful about his condition.
The health of a sitting pope is always closely watched, given the office's global religious significance and the impact a pontiff's incapacity or death can have on Church governance. Coverage of this story is consistent on the key facts — the surgery, the hospital Mass, and medical updates pointing to a steady recovery — while some reports add that he has also engaged in diplomatic matters, including a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine crisis, underscoring the pope's continued engagement with world affairs even while recuperating. Full details on his prognosis and expected return to full duties have not yet been disclosed.