Pope Leo will appear in public tomorrow for the first time since undergoing lung cancer surgery as the 71-year-old pontiff shows steady improvement and is able to work and do normal daily activities independently, the Vatican said yesterday.
Leo will be seen leading a traditional noontime prayer tomorrow, the Vatican said, while preparations continue for his planned November trip to South America.
The pope was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung in an operation on Tuesday.
The Vatican yesterday released the first images of the pope since his surgery, showing him celebrating Mass and standing unaided.
Leo underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray yesterday, “confirming steady improvement in his overall condition”, according to the latest medical bulletin on his condition.
“His post-operative recovery is allowing him to carry out normal daily activities with full independence,” it said.
The cancer diagnosis for a pope known to be relatively young and energetic and who was elected only in May 2025 caused shock and raised questions about the future shape of his papacy as he deals with the illness.
The Vatican signalled yesterday that Leo, known for keeping a busy schedule, intended to keep up his commitments, as some cardinals began to publicly express concern about the pope’s health.
The Vatican said work on his November 6 to 17 visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru was “going forward” and released a list of journalists accredited to travel with Leo and cover the trip.
Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori had speculated previously that the trip might have to be delayed.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said yesterday it was unclear when Leo would be able to return to his usual rhythm of appointments.
“The question now is when he will return, under what circumstances he will return, and what the doctors say,” he said on the sidelines of an event in Rome, according to Italian agencies.
Following the latest health bulletin yesterday, Parolin said a photo of the pope was an encouraging sign of his continued recovery, but reiterated that Leo may need to adjust his pace going forward “according to the condition of his health”.
The Vatican did not say yesterday when the pope might be discharged from hospital.
It has previously indicated his recovery would take about a week.
The pope’s doctors have said his surgery was completed successfully, without complications.
They have not yet disclosed the size of the tumour or whether the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes, key factors in determining prognosis.
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, seen as a close ally of Leo, said he had been shocked by news of the cancer diagnosis.
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