ROME: Pope Leo's doctors said on Thursday that a chest X-ray "showed a good recovery of the operated lung", two days after the 71-year-old pontiff had part of his lung removed in a cancer operation. "The post-operative course is progressing as expected," they said in a note published by the Vatican. The pope is expected to spend at least a few days recovering at Rome's Gemelli Hospital and is undergoing further tests to determine whether he is cancer-free or needs further treatment. A Vatican source said he has had no visitors aside from a few members of his entourage, and has been able to do some work in hospital.
Leo has cancelled all his audiences until October 20, and his near-term travel plans are uncertain, including a scheduled trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. Experts said the diagnosis could change his papacy, with a scaled-back schedule and possibly fewer trips. Mikael Corre, Vatican correspondent for France's La Croix newspaper, said the pope once seen as athletic would now also be one whose health is constantly scrutinised. — AFP
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