Pope Continues 'Steady Improvement,' Celebrates Mass for Gemelli Staff

| 10/16/2026

By: Vatican News

On his fourth day in hospital, Pope Leo XIV’s doctors say new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirm “the steady improvement in his overall condition”

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass on the 10th floor at Rome's Gemelli Hospital Oct. 16, 2026, following his cancer surgery Oct. 13. In his homily, the pontiff thanked the staff, doctors, nurses and orderlies for their daily work caring for the sick and, in particular, for what they have done for him. Photo: OSV News photo/Vatican Media.
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass on the 10th floor at Rome's Gemelli Hospital Oct. 16, 2026, following his cancer surgery Oct. 13. In his homily, the pontiff thanked the staff, doctors, nurses and orderlies for their daily work caring for the sick and, in particular, for what they have done for him. Photo: OSV News photo/Vatican Media.

On Friday afternoon, the Holy See Press Office released a statement from Pope Leo XIV’s doctors, who said his postoperative recovery continues with steady improvement.

Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the Pope “underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray this morning, which confirmed the steady improvement in his overall condition.”

They added that “respiratory physiotherapy sessions have continued,” noting that his “postoperative recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities entirely independently.”

The Holy See Press Office said separately that Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at noon in the room set up on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital.

Several members of Gemelli’s medical and nursing staff attended the Mass, along with members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps.

“In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff—doctors, nurses, and orderlies—for the work they do every day caring for patients in their frailty, and especially for what they have done and continue to do for him,” read the statement.

La Oficina de Prensa de la Santa Sede ha comunicado que los análisis de sangre y la radiografía de tórax han confirmado la mejora constante de su estado general. Al mediodía celebró la Misa al personal del hospital agradeciendo sus atenciones.

By:

Vatican News

| 10/16/2026

On his fourth day in hospital, Pope Leo XIV's doctors say new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirm "the steady improvement in his overall condition."

By:

Vatican News

| 10/16/2026

La caminata del 31 de octubre estará encabezada por el obispo Peter Byrne y el padre Vincent Druding.

By:

Armando Machado

| 10/15/2026