Pope pictured for first time since surgery and cancer diagnosis

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Pope Leo thanked medical staff as he was pictured for the first time since his lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been pictured celebrating Mass from hospital, in the first images of him released by the Vatican since he underwent lung surgery.

The 71-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with lung cancer after the surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, which the Vatican said had been "successful" and proceeded without complications.

The images shared on Friday showed the Chicago-born Pope wearing a green robe while standing behind a makeshift altar on the tenth floor of the hospital.

Pope Leo "celebrated with the medical and nursing staff" and thanked workers for their service, the Vatican press office said.

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