Pope Leo pictured for first time since cancer surgery as he holds mass from hospital

The Pope is said to be showing "continued improvement" as the first images of him were released following his lung cancer surgery.

The Vatican said the 71-year-old had held mass and communion on Friday in a makeshift chapel set up for him on the 10th floor of Gemelli hospital in Rome.

He delivered a homily thanking 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", said spokesman Matteo Bruni.

The Pope's doctors said he was carrying out "normal daily activities completely on his own". It followed a statement on Wednesday which said his recovery was going as expected.

Pope Leo XIV had part of his right lung removed during Tuesday's procedure and was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma - the most common form of the lung cancer.

The entire lower lobe of his right lung was cut away to try to remove all traces of the disease.

Tests on the cancer - and whether it has spread beyond the lobe of the lung - are still to come back.

The Pope had been expected to remain in hospital for about a week, but his spokesman said on Friday that an exact discharge date remains unclear.

Leo could also be well enough to recite the traditional Angelus prayer this Sunday.

It's not been announced if it will take place at the Vatican as usual, or from Rome's Gemelli hospital.

The Pope's staff were seen laying cables for a potential live broadcast - something previous pontiffs have done while being treated there.

On Thursday, officials said Leo had worked from his hospital room, held a meeting with his chief of staff, and completed some respiratory physio.

In a further sign the Vatican is pressing on with business as usual, it has also published names of journalists who've been accredited to fly with him to South America next month.

Leo is said to be keen for the trip go ahead. He was a bishop and missionary in Peru for many years.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, struck a positive but measured note on Friday.

"The question now is when he will return, under what circumstances he will return, and what the doctors say," Parolin was quoted as saying by Italy's LaPresse and ANSA news agencies.

"Based on all these factors, the Pope will then adjust his pontificate, if it needs to be adjusted," Parolin added.

Leo revealed his condition to worshippers last Sunday, saying the lung problem had been spotted during a recent check-up.

He told people gathered in St Peter's Square that doctors discovered a "well-defined lung nodule, detected at a very early stage and clearly localised".

The American pontiff, who was elected in May 2025, has no previously known health issues and is believed to be physically active, enjoying tennis and swimming at his Castel Gandolfo retreat this summer.

(c) Sky News 2026: Pope Leo pictured for first time since cancer surgery as he holds mass from hospital