The first photo of Pope Leo XIV since his lung surgery on Tuesday was released by the Vatican on Friday. In the photo, the pope can be seen celebrating Mass in green vestments, accompanied by one of his personal secretaries, Peruvian Father Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga. According to the Vatican Press Office, Leo celebrated the Mass, delivered the homily and distributed Communion. 

The latest statement from the pope’s medical team says that he continues to improve day-by-day “in his overall condition” following the removal of a malignant tumor from his right lung on Oct. 13.

The statement, signed by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the lead surgeon at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, and Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope’s personal physician, reports that this morning Pope Leo “underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray, which confirmed the continued improvement in his overall condition.” Leo also continued his “respiratory physical therapy sessions.” 

The doctors added that his recovery after the operation “allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely independently.”

A statement from the Vatican said Pope Leo celebrated Mass on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital at midday today for “medical and nursing staff from the hospital—who were off duty at the time—and members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie.” In his homily, the pope “thanked all the staff—doctors, nurses, and orderlies—for the work they do every day in caring for the sick and their vulnerabilities, and, in particular, for what they have done and continue to do for him.” In previous days, Pope Leo has concelebrated the Mass, whereas today he was the main celebrant.

This picture, released by Vatican Media on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, shows Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where he is recovering after having cancer removed from his right lung. (Vatican Media via AP)

A Vatican source confirmed that the pope will lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday, but he did not say if this would take place from a 10th-floor window in the Gemelli Hospital. That leaves open the possibility that Leo may be discharged from the hospital in time to give the Angelus from the papal study window on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

In Rome, everyone is waiting for the results of the histological tests that should provide crucial information regarding whether the pope’s cancer has spread or if the surgeons have effectively removed it all. Those results are expected in the coming days or weeks, but until then the doctors will not be able to determine what post-operative treatment or therapy to prescribe for the pope.

In the meantime, the Vatican has published a list of some 80 journalists and other media professionals who will accompany Pope Leo on his lengthy trip to three Latin American countries, which is scheduled to begin on Nov. 6—just 22 days from now. This does not mean Leo’s first visit as pope to Latin America will go ahead; it depends on what the doctors say, as several people have made clear, including Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Blase Cupich. Cardinal Cupich, in an interview with America, said he expected the pope to abide by what his doctors say. Today, the pope’s friend, Alejandro Moral Antón, O.S.A., was quoted by the Italian daily La Repubblica as saying, “Being very methodical, [Leo] will do what the doctors say; he is very obedient.”

As Leo continues his work and activities in his hospital room, children and families in a nearby ward have sent him letters in Spanish and English, including drawings, good wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery. The Vatican released some of them today, including a letter from an 18-year-old named Giorgia, who wrote to him in English. She told him about her earlier life when she had traveled, had fun and had many dreams until illness struck her and made her see things differently.

She concluded her handwritten letter this way:

I guess it’s true when they say that we can find something good in everything. Every day I wake up and I’m grateful I’m take care of and have a chance to heal. Even life itself has never held a meaning for me until now.

When I heard on the news about you and your situation, I felt it a thousand times harder because in some ways we’re going through the same thing, and it made me feel closer to you. I pray to God that we both heal and I ask you to pray with me too. Better days will come for both of us, I’m sure of that. We are united in prayer for us and for those facing the same situation.

Con affetto [with affection], Giorgia.

Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.