A senior Vatican official says the Church must not take Pope Leo XIV's health for granted following his recent cancer diagnosis and lung surgery.
A top Vatican diplomat recently spoke about the health of Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop Paul Gallagher says people should not assume the Pope is invincible. He believes the recent medical news changes how the Church views the leader.
Next, the Pope underwent surgery at Gemelli Hospital in Rome this past Tuesday. Doctors successfully removed a lower lobe of his right lung. Medical tests later confirmed he has lung adenocarcinoma.
Also, the Archbishop noted that the Pope previously appeared very fit and sporty. Many church members felt surprised by this sudden health challenge. He admitted that people likely took the Pope's good health for granted.
Meanwhile, the Vatican reports that the Pope is showing steady signs of recovery. He even celebrated Mass while still in the hospital. Officials expect his full recovery to take about one week.
Then, the Archbishop shared his personal concerns regarding the diagnosis. He wants to understand how doctors discovered the nodule on the Pope's lung. He also noted that many people face similar health struggles during their lives.
Furthermore, the Pope remains hopeful about his future duties. He plans to lead Sunday prayers despite his ongoing hospital stay. Past popes have also led prayers from hospital windows when necessary.
After that, talk turned toward a potential visit to the United Kingdom. Archbishop Gallagher mentioned that the Pope is considering travel plans for 2027. However, he stressed that such trips require very careful planning.
Finally, the Church remains focused on the Pope's immediate recovery. His recent travels in France and Spain showed his ability to inspire many people. Supporters worldwide now wait for further updates on his condition.