Pope Leo XIV is showing encouraging signs of recovery following surgery for lung cancer, but his hospitalization has not stopped him from carrying out his spiritual and diplomatic responsibilities. On Friday, October 16, the Holy Father celebrated Mass with hospital staff, received heartfelt messages from children battling serious illnesses, and spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to appeal for humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
The developments come just four days after the 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung.
According to Vatican News, doctors confirmed Friday that the Pope’s recovery continues to progress favorably, with new medical examinations showing consistent improvement.
Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Pope’s personal physician, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who performed the operation, reported that the Holy Father “underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray this morning, which confirmed the steady improvement in his overall condition.”
The physicians also confirmed that respiratory physiotherapy sessions are continuing and that his “postoperative recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities entirely independently.”
The encouraging medical report offers hope to Catholics around the world who have been praying for the Holy Father’s healing.
Pope Leo Celebrates Mass and Thanks Those Caring for Him
One of the most significant signs of the Pope’s recovery came Friday at noon, when he celebrated Mass in a chapel space on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital.
According to EWTN News, the Vatican released the first photographs of Pope Leo since his hospitalization. The images show the Holy Father standing in green liturgical vestments, including one photograph taken during the consecration.
The Pope also distributed Holy Communion, marking a development from previous days when he had concelebrated Mass with his collaborators.
The celebration was attended by several members of the hospital’s medical and nursing staff, along with members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps.
During his homily, Pope Leo expressed gratitude to those who dedicate their lives to caring for the sick.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope thanked the hospital personnel for their daily service to patients experiencing illness and vulnerability, particularly acknowledging the care they have provided during his own hospitalization.
For Catholics, the moment carried special significance. Even while recovering from major surgery, the Holy Father continued to celebrate the Eucharist and recognize the dignity of those who serve the suffering.
Children Battling Cancer Send Prayers to the Holy Father
Beyond the medical updates, some of the most touching moments of the Pope’s hospitalization came from young patients receiving treatment at Gemelli Hospital.
According to EWTN News, children from the hospital’s pediatric oncology department sent drawings and personal letters to Pope Leo, sharing their own experiences with illness and offering prayers for his recovery.
Among them was Angelo, a 7-year-old boy who had been hospitalized for 36 days following surgery on his head.
Angelo, who was also staying on the hospital’s 10th floor, wrote a message assuring the Pope that he and his mother remembered him in their nightly prayers.
“My mom and I pray for you every night,” the boy wrote, wishing the Holy Father a speedy recovery.
His letter included a colorful drawing of a yellow sun, birds, and a meadow.
Another message came from Maria Graziela, whose daughter Eleonora had recovered after receiving treatment in the hospital’s neurosurgery and oncology departments.
“Faith moves mountains,” she wrote, reflecting on her family’s experience and expressing gratitude for answered prayers.
She also assured Pope Leo of her family’s continued prayers, asking God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the guardian angels to protect him.
An especially moving letter came from Giorgia, an 18-year-old patient whose illness had profoundly changed her perspective on life.
According to EWTN News, Giorgia described the difficulty of becoming dependent on others after previously valuing her independence.
“It has been difficult to go from depending solely on my own strength to having to depend on others,” she acknowledged.
Yet her experience also inspired a desire to pursue a future dedicated to helping others.
“If there is one thing I want to do in life, it is save other peopleʼs lives. I want to be like the doctors who are saving mine,” she wrote.
Giorgia concluded with a prayer for healing, expressing solidarity with the Pope and other patients confronting serious illness.
“I pray to God that we may both be healed, and I ask you to pray with me,” she wrote.
Her message reflected the spiritual bond between the Holy Father and the patients surrounding him, united through prayer despite their different circumstances.
From His Hospital Room, Pope Leo Appeals to Putin for Peace
While receiving medical treatment, Pope Leo also continued his efforts to promote peace in areas affected by war.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father spoke by telephone Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky, a city in the Russian-occupied Kherson region of Ukraine.
The city, situated along the Dnieper River, lies near the front lines of the ongoing conflict.
During the conversation, Pope Leo urged a humanitarian ceasefire to allow essential assistance to reach civilians and provide opportunities for safe evacuation.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the Pope “expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region.”
He also “called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population.”
The Vatican emphasized that the Holy Father remains committed to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending suffering and encouraging peaceful dialogue.
“Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace,” the statement concluded.
The conversation was not the first between Pope Leo and President Putin. According to Vatican News, the two previously spoke by telephone on June 4, 2025.
Friday’s call demonstrated that the Pope’s concern for those affected by conflict remains a priority even during his personal medical recovery.
Will Pope Leo Return for Sunday’s Angelus?
With the Pope’s condition improving, attention is now turning to his possible return to public appearances.
According to EWTN News, Vatican sources indicated that Pope Leo is expected to lead Sunday’s Angelus prayer, although officials have not yet determined whether it will take place from Gemelli Hospital or the Vatican.
The Holy Father’s scheduled appointments through October 20 have been canceled to allow additional time for recovery.
Doctors have not announced a change to the anticipated hospital discharge timeline, which currently points to Tuesday, October 20, although an earlier release has not been ruled out.
For now, the Vatican continues to report encouraging progress while the Pope remains under medical supervision.
A Powerful Witness of Faith Amid Illness
Pope Leo’s hospitalization has brought together several expressions of the Church’s mission: the celebration of the Eucharist, compassion for those experiencing illness, gratitude toward healthcare workers, and the pursuit of peace for communities suffering from war.
The letters from children undergoing cancer treatment offer a particularly moving reminder that prayer and Christian solidarity can unite people facing different forms of suffering.
As the Holy Father continues recovering, Catholics are invited to pray not only for his healing but also for the patients receiving treatment alongside him, the medical professionals caring for them, and the civilians whose lives remain threatened by conflict.
The Pope’s recovery remains an unfolding medical journey, but Friday’s developments offered encouraging signs of strength, faith, and continued service to the Church and the world.
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