Vatican Media has released the first images of Pope Leo XIV since his hospitalisation, showing him celebrating Mass at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he recovers from lung cancer surgery.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital at noon on Friday after medical tests confirmed that his condition continues to improve following lung cancer surgery, according to the Vatican.
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“His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own,” said a medical update signed by Leo’s personal physician Dr. Luigi Carbone and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, Dr. Stefano Margaritora.
The service was attended by off-duty medical and nursing staff, as well as members of the Vatican City State’s Gendarmerie Corps. During his homily, the Pope thanked hospital workers for their daily care of patients and, in particular, for the care they have provided him.
Pope's appeal to governments: Food as an 'obligation of justice'
In a message to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) marking World Food Day on Friday, Pope Leo XIV warned against using food as a weapon of war and urged governments to redirect military spending towards sustainable agriculture.
He said hunger was largely caused by a lack of political will and collective solidarity, stressing the importance of guaranteeing universal access to safe and sufficient food.
“It is an obligation of justice that binds both individual states and the international community,” the pope said.
What comes next for Pope Leo XIV?
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said it was too early to predict when the pope would resume his duties, suggesting his pontificate may need to be adjusted depending on his recovery and medical advice.
“We can’t make any type of predictions,” Parolin said Thursday. as reported by LaPresse and ANSA news agencies.
“The question now is when he will return, under what circumstances he will return, and what the doctors say. And based on all these factors, the pope will then adjust his pontificate, if it needs to be adjusted.”
The Vatican is moving ahead with preparations for Pope Leo XIV’s planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November, despite uncertainty over his recovery.