Pope back on his feet, eating normally following cancer diagnosis | CBC News

71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery Tuesday during which part of his right lung was removed

Pope Leo's recovery from surgery is progressing as expected and he has begun walking in his hospital room and eating normally, the Vatican said on Wednesday, ‌after doctors announced the 71-year-old pontiff was being treated for lung cancer.

Blood tests and a chest X-ray carried out on Wednesday showed normal post-operative results, the Vatican said, adding that the pontiff had undergone respiratory physiotherapy.

Leo normally follows a very busy schedule. He is due to make a tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to 17; the Vatican press office ​said on Wednesday that "nothing has changed" regarding the planned trip.

A prayer was recited for Leo to have a good convalescence and complete healing during an open-air Mass in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday following the surgery.

A woman holds a rosary and a card portraying Pope Leo outside Gemelli Hospital, where the Pope continued to recover from surgery Wednesday. (Yara Nardi/Reuters)

The Pope was diagnosed with ⁠lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during Tuesday's operation in an effort to eliminate all cancerous tissue.

The operation lasted about 90 minutes and was completed without complications, the Pope's lead surgeon, Professor Stefano Margaritora, ‌and his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said late on Tuesday.

Dr. Serena Ricciardi, a lung cancer specialist at Rome's San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, said that if the cancer had not spread to Leo's lymph nodes, the surgery may have been sufficient for treatment.

Leo is relatively young for a Church leader. He enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to be a smoker or to have ⁠had recent health issues.

The Vatican said this week that the Pope was expected to remain in hospital for about a week and that ⁠all his public engagements had been cancelled until Oct. 20.

Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle led the service in place of Leo. The Pope last week approved Tagle as the dean of the Church's College of Cardinals, ​in the first selection of an Asian cleric to ⁠the elite role.