By announcing his lung condition himself, Leo has been more forthcoming than many popes. But mysteries remain, prompting scrutiny of papal statements for hidden meaning.
Pope Leo XIV at a torchlight procession last month in Lourdes, France. Vatican experts wondered if he already knew of his cancer diagnosis during that visit.
By announcing his lung condition himself, Leo has been more forthcoming than many popes. But mysteries remain, prompting scrutiny of papal statements for hidden meaning.
Pope Leo XIV at a torchlight procession last month in Lourdes, France. Vatican experts wondered if he already knew of his cancer diagnosis during that visit.
By announcing his lung condition himself, Leo has been more forthcoming than many popes. But mysteries remain, prompting scrutiny of papal statements for hidden meaning.
Pope Leo XIV at a torchlight procession last month in Lourdes, France. Vatican experts wondered if he already knew of his cancer diagnosis during that visit.
Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Wednesday. The service was held by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in Pope Leo’s absence, and included special prayers for the pontiff’s health.
Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Wednesday. The service was held by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in Pope Leo’s absence, and included special prayers for the pontiff’s health.
The pontiff, 71, is expected to spend about a week in the hospital recovering from surgery that found lung cancer. Messages of support have flooded in from far and wide.
Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by Daniele Franco, the president of Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, before an operation to remove a mass from his lung on Tuesday.
For a pope who appeared to have time on his side, cancer has raised questions about his longevity and brought a new urgency to his plans for the church.
Pope Leo arriving at a hospital in Rome ahead of his surgery on Tuesday. The cancer diagnosis changes the outlook for a pope whose relative youth suggested he might have decades to reign.