Health & Lifestyle · 9 Proficient · October 17, 2026

Pope Returns to Public View After Lung Cancer Surgery

Photo: MART PRODUCTION via Pexels

Vocabulary

pontiff /ˈpɑːntɪf/ noun

the Pope; the head of the Roman Catholic Church

The 71-year-old pontiff celebrated Mass from his hospital room on Friday.

malignancy /məˈlɪɡnənsi/ noun

a cancerous tumor or disease that is harmful and likely to become worse

The Vatican stated that the entire lower lobe of his right lung was removed to ensure complete treatment of the malignancy.

ceasefire /ˈsisˌfaɪr/ noun

an agreement to stop fighting or military operations

Pope Leo made a telephone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin to appeal for a ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky.

Article

Pope Leo XIV has made his first public appearance since undergoing lung surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital earlier this week. The 71-year-old pontiff, who was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after the procedure, celebrated Mass on Friday from his hospital room while wearing a green robe. Doctors confirmed that the surgery succeeded without complications and that initial tests show steady improvement in his condition. The Vatican stated that the entire lower lobe of his right lung was removed to ensure complete treatment of the malignancy.

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