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If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Vatican Surgery of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at Gemelli Hospital

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at Gemelli Polyclinic on Friday, October 16, 2026, while recovering from surgery. Because the hospital chapel is undergoing renovations, the Pope presided over the liturgy in a room specifically prepared on the tenth floor.

During the Mass, the Pope thanked doctors, nurses, and support staff for their daily care of patients and for the assistance provided during his own postoperative recovery. The celebration was attended by medical personnel and members of the Vatican Gendarmerie.

A medical bulletin released that morning indicated the Pope's general condition is steadily improving. Following an operation on October 13, he has been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy and can now perform daily activities independently. The Holy See Press Office released the first two photographs of the Pope during the celebration, showing him in prayer and elevating the consecrated host.

In addition to his religious duties, the Pope has continued his work, which included receiving letters and drawings from children in the pediatric oncology department. He also held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to express concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Olenshky and to request a truce.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

5 sources19 reports10 languages

Read it in Polski · Italiano · Čeština · Español · Português · BE · Lietuvių · English · Hrvatski · Deutsch

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Earlier version, Saturday 17 October

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at Gemelli hospital

Earlier version, Saturday 17 October

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in hospital

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 14, 11:30 PM Niedziela Polski Leon XIV odprawił Mszę św.
  2. Oct 16, 5:51 AM Toscana Oggi Italiano Papa: in miglioramento, ha celebrato la Messa
  3. Oct 16, 5:50 AM Církev.cz Čeština Papežův zdravotní stav se nadále zlepšuje, v nemocnici slavil mši svatou
  4. Oct 16, 5:05 AM Vida Nueva Español El papa León XIV, “en mejoría constante”, celebra la misa en el hospital
  5. Oct 16, 6:16 AM Exaudi Español El Papa León XIV celebra la Eucaristía rodeado de quienes cuidan de su salud
  6. Oct 16, 6:00 AM Canção Nova Português Papa Leão XIV celebra missa no hospital e agradece à equipe médica
  7. Oct 16, 5:33 AM Vatican News BE Леў XIV цэлебраваў Імшу і падзякаваў медыкам за клопат
  8. Oct 16, 5:23 AM Vatican News Lietuvių Popiežius ligoninėje aukojo Mišias
  9. Oct 16, 11:28 AM Voz Portucalense Português Hospital Gemelli: Papa já celebrou Eucaristia no hospital
  10. Oct 16, 8:39 AM Agenzia SIR Italiano Leone XIV: in miglioramento, prime foto e telefonata con Putin
  11. Oct 16, 10:18 AM Diocese of Cremona Italiano Leone XIV: in miglioramento, prime foto e telefonata con Putin
  12. Oct 16, 7:46 PM ZENIT News Agency 3 days after his surgery, photos of the Pope were published, and that day saw the highest number of visitors and phone calls
  13. Oct 15, 12:00 AM Aleteia Português Noite tranquila para Leão XIV. Cardeal Spengler em Roma comenta diagnóstico após operação do Papa
  14. Oct 15, 12:21 AM RomaSette Italiano Leone al Gemelli: «Trascorsa bene la notte»
  15. Oct 16, 5:26 AM ACI Stampa Italiano Papa Leone XIV ha presieduto la Messa al Gemelli, costante miglioramento delle condizioni generali
  16. Oct 16, 5:30 AM Vatican News Italiano Il Papa al Gemelli in costante miglioramento, ha celebrato la Messa: grazie per le cure
  17. Oct 16, 5:36 AM Omnes Español ”Mejora constante” del Papa, que ha celebrado Misa en el hospital
  18. Oct 16, 5:49 AM Vatican News Hrvatski Papa u Poliklinici Gemelli: Dobro se oporavlja, slavio je misu i zahvalio na skrbi
  19. Oct 16, 7:15 AM DOMRADIO.DE Deutsch Stetige Besserung des Allgemeinzustands / Papst Leo offenbar weiter auf Genesungskurs

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 22, 2:31 PM PT · 57 sources Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus
  2. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 46 sources Pope Leo XIV's doctors confirm no further treatment is necessary
  3. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery
  4. Oct 22, 1:21 PM PT Chicago artist creates Marian icon for Pope Leo XIV, who will keep the image in his bedroom
  5. Oct 22, 1:17 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV is cancer-free
  6. Oct 22, 1:00 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV urges Catholic schools to help young people
  7. Oct 22, 12:43 PM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV meets American Jewish Committee
  8. Oct 22, 12:12 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV invites young people to Seoul for WYD 2027
  9. Oct 22, 12:11 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Argentina
  10. Oct 22, 11:21 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV invites youth to Seoul for World Youth Day 2027
  11. Oct 22, 10:39 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to hold private audience with Villanova, Notre Dame teams
  12. Oct 22, 10:13 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV invites 2027 World Youth Day participants
  13. Oct 22, 9:05 AM PT Pope Leo XIV and the Pressure to Be Perfect: “Many Give Up Before Even Trying”
  14. Oct 22, 8:30 AM PT A Global Symphony of Prayer: 16 Readers Share Ways They Prayed for Pope Leo XIV
  15. Oct 22, 8:20 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV invites young people to Seoul for WYD 2027
  16. Oct 22, 8:07 AM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 24 new members to International Theological Commission
  17. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Leandro Machado Silvestre as bishop of Guajará-Mirim
  18. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 21 sources Pope Leo XIV leads General Audience on October 21, 2026, emphasizing marriage and family
  19. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 23 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Holiness in History conference
  20. Oct 22, 7:28 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas presented to Dutch and Flemish bishops
  21. Oct 22, 6:18 AM PT · 61 sources Pope Leo XIV speaks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  22. Oct 22, 5:20 AM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV backs Synod on Synodality
  23. Oct 22, 4:30 AM PT · 3 sources COMECE bishops send message of prayer and support to Pope Leo XIV
  24. Oct 22, 4:01 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants of Congress on Pastoral Care in Schools and Universities
  25. Oct 22, 3:55 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV emphasizes protecting marriage at general audience

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