Pope Leo spent a good night in the hospital and had breakfast, the Vatican said on Thursday, as the 71-year-old pontiff recovers from lung cancer surgery.
Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, and doctors removed the lower lobe of the right lung in a procedure performed on Tuesday afternoon.
The Vatican said the surgery was completed successfully, without complications. It has not yet disclosed the size of the tumor nor whether the disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes, key factors in determining prognosis.
Blood tests and a chest X-ray performed on Wednesday showed normal post-operative results, the Vatican said.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has had disagreements with Leo on several issues, joined on Wednesday the global chorus of well-wishes for the pope.
“I want to see Pope Leo recover,” Trump told reporters. “I just want to wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.”
Vice President JD Vance, a converted Catholic, also added his prayers.
“May God grant him strength as he recovers. I hope he knows that millions of American Christians are thinking of him,” Vance wrote on X.
More updates on Leo’s health status are expected on Thursday, but the pathological report may take a few days to be ready.
Leo’s public engagements were canceled through October 20.
The cancer diagnosis for a pope known for being relatively young and full of energy—and who was elected only in May 2025—caused shock and raised questions about the future of his papacy as he deals with the illness.
Leo usually has a packed schedule. He is due to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17, and the Vatican’s press office said on Wednesday that “nothing has changed” regarding the planned trip.
However, Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori said that the dates could be altered due to the time Leo’s recovery would take.
