Pope Leo's recovery after lung cancer surgery progressing as planned, doctors say

Pope Leo began walking in his hospital room on Wednesday after respiratory therapy, following surgery late on Tuesday to remove a cancerous mass from his right lung. His doctors, Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritoria, said in a statement issued by the Vatican that he was eating normally.

The doctors said a blood test and chest X-ray showed normal postoperative progress. They also said the results were within the expected range for the procedure performed.

The operation at Rome's Gemelli hospital confirmed that Leo, 71, has adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. The Vatican has not yet released the results of further tests to determine whether the cancer has spread and whether additional treatment is needed.

The pope had announced during Sunday's Angelus prayer that a small nodule had been found in his lung during a checkup. He also said the nodule was contained and had been detected early.

Before the operation, all of Leo's appointments through 20 October were cancelled. Leo visited France in September and is scheduled to make a 12-day visit to 10 South American cities in November.