Pope Leo Is Apparently Up and at 'Em Again

The Vatican on Friday released the first images of Pope Leo XIV since his lung cancer surgery, showing him celebrating Mass, as doctors said that tests confirmed the "continued improvement" in his recovery. The photos show Leo standing up at the altar in green vestments, celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel that has been set up for him in Gemelli hospital, reports the AP. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Leo presided alone over the liturgy, distributing Communion to medical personnel and Vatican gendarmes present. He also delivered a homily in which he thanked the hospital staff "for the work they do every day taking care of the sick in their fragility, and in a particular way what they had done for him," Bruni said.

Bruni confirmed Leo would deliver the traditional noontime Angelus prayer on Sunday, but it wasn't clear whether he would do it from the hospital or back at the Vatican. The Vatican had originally estimated a weeklong hospital stay, and had canceled his audiences through Tuesday. Bruni said the pope's doctors would decide if there were any changes expected to his discharge date. "His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own," said a medical update signed by Leo's personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, Dr. Stefano Margaritora.

Even as questions swirled about the future of Leo's young pontificate, there were signs Friday that it was all systems go. The Vatican published the names of journalists accredited to fly on Leo's plane with him during his Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. Leo's ability to make the trip has been in question since his diagnosis, and the Vatican can change the plans at any time. But the posting of the media list signaled that, at least on an organizational level, the trip was going ahead.

In the nearer term, Vatican officials were gaming out possible scenarios for the Angelus on Sunday. Vatican media personnel were seen at Gemelli laying cables for a possible live broadcast. Such appearances have often served as a welcome confirmation of a hospitalized pope's well-being. But with Leo's homily Friday thanking hospital personnel who had cared for him, there might be little reason for him to stay if he is medically ready for discharge.