'Steady improvement': Vatican releases first pictures of Pope Leo XIV after lung surgery

The Vatican on Friday released the first image of Pope Leo XIV since his lung surgery, showing the pontiff attending Mass at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as doctors reported steady progress in his recovery.According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Leo celebrated Mass in a room prepared on the hospital’s 10th floor, where he is recovering from surgery performed on Tuesday.During his homily, the Pope thanked the hospital staff for their care and dedication. “In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff—doctors, nurses, and orderlies—for the work they do every day caring for patients in their frailty, and especially for what they have done and continue to do for him,” Vatican News quoted the press office as saying.In a separate health update, the Holy See Press Office announced that new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirmed a steady improvement in Pope Leo XIV’s overall condition.“On his fourth day in hospital, Pope Leo XIV’s doctors say new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirm ‘the steady improvement in his overall condition’,” the statement read.The Vatican added that the pontiff continues to undergo respiratory physiotherapy and is carrying out his daily activities independently ...