Pope pictured for first time since surgery and cancer diagnosis

For the first time since undergoing lung surgery and being diagnosed with cancer, Pope Leo XIV was captured celebrating Mass from his hospital bed. The 71-year-old pontiff, who was born in Chicago, is seen wearing a green robe while standing behind a makeshift altar on the tenth floor of Rome's Gemelli Hospital. Vatican officials announced the images on Friday, stating that the surgery, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, was successful and had no complications.

In his remarks, the Pope expressed gratitude to the medical and nursing staff, crediting their service for his current condition. Medical professionals have reported a steady improvement in the Pope's overall health since the procedure. A chest X-ray revealed a good recovery of the operated lung, with the lower lobe of the Pope's right lung being removed to ensure a thorough and radical surgery.

After the operation, the Pope woke up normally and returned to his room after a brief observation period. He spent a peaceful night at the hospital before recovering. Pope Leo initially announced the surgery during his weekly Sunday prayers, sharing that a well-contained nodule had been discovered on his lung during early testing. While nodules are common and not always indicative of cancer, medical tests confirmed that the nodule was, in fact, lung adenocarcinoma.