Tagle leads Vatican Mass as Pope Leo recovers from lung cancer operation

MANILA — Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is leading a Mass in Vatican City on Wednesday as Pope Leo XIV recovers from his lung cancer operation.

Tagle, the new dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals, is presiding over the 10 a.m. Mass (Vatican time) after the pope spent a “calm night” in a hospital in Rome.

Doctors removed a cancerous tumor from Pope Leo’s right lung in a 90-minute operation, the Vatican said Wednesday, without providing any more details on the Catholic leader, who underwent surgery at the Gemelli hospital on Tuesday.

Part of the pope’s lung was removed in the operation and he is awaiting the results of tests to determine if the cancer has spread.

The sporty 71-year-old, who was only elected last year, made the surprise announcement that he would be undergoing surgery after Sunday prayers.