First images released of Pope Leo after cancer surgery, celebrating Mass at hospital
ROME — The Vatican on Friday released the first images of Pope Leo XIV since his lung cancer surgery, showing him celebrating Mass, as doctors said that tests confirmed the “continued improvement” in his recovery. The photos show Leo standing up at the altar in green vestments celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel that has been set up for him in Gemelli hospital. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni…
Rome has received the first visual evidence of Pope Leo XIV since his recent lung cancer surgery, as the Vatican released photos capturing him celebrating Mass at Gemelli hospital. The images depict the pontiff standing at the altar in green vestments, presiding over the liturgy alone and distributing Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes in attendance.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced that Leo delivered a homily expressing gratitude to the hospital staff for their daily care of the sick, particularly for the support they provided him during his recovery. The spokesman confirmed that Pope Leo would continue to deliver the traditional noon-time Angelus prayer, though it was not determined whether he would do so from the hospital or return to the Vatican.
Initially, the Vatican had anticipated a week-long hospital stay, and they had already suspended the pontiff's public engagements through Tuesday. Bruni indicated that the pope's medical team would assess any potential changes to his condition.
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