Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday thanked Catholics for their prayers in his first message since undergoing surgery for lung cancer in Rome.
“As you know, I have not been able to be among you for the past few days,” Leo wrote in a statement to Catholics attending a symposium commemorating the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, a document written by his predecessor Pope Francis about the church’s work with couples and families.
“Thank you so much for your prayers and the work you have done together. Your sharing of experiences and your active listening is truly a gift to the entire Church,” he said. “Please pray for me as I pray for you.”
Catholics around the world pray for Pope Leo’s recovery after lung cancer diagnosis
Medical staff treating the pope said that during a 90-minute operation in Rome yesterday, Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung adenocarcinoma, and the lower lobe of one of his lungs was removed.
Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritola said in a statement that the pope’s recovery is “progressing as expected.” Leo was able to walk around his room in the hospital, and a Vatican spokesman said Wednesday that the pope celebrated Mass with other priests in a room specially set up on the floor.
In a speech to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square over the weekend, the Pope announced plans for surgery, saying a “growth” in the lungs had been detected at an early stage.
The pope is not known to be a smoker and follows a healthy lifestyle, although a close family member has a history of cancer. His older brother Louis Prevost is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, and both of his parents died of cancer in the 1990s.
Pope Leo has canceled all public appearances until October 20 in consideration of his medical treatment, but is scheduled to depart on a long trip to South America next month.
