What we know about the Pope's lung cancer diagnosis

Pope Leo's recovery from lung cancer surgery is progressing as planned, according to his doctors.

The full report

Pope Leo, 71, has begun walking in his hospital room and is eating normally after an operation to remove a cancerous mass from his right lung, his doctors have said.

The operation, which lasted 90 minutes, was successful and there were no complications, according to a medical statement shared by The Holy See's press office.

A blood test and chest X-ray showed 'normal post-operative progress' and the results were 'within the expected range for the type of procedure performed', doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritoria said.

The Vatican has not yet disclosed the results of further tests to determine whether the cancer has spread and if more treatment will be needed.

Pope Leo's recovery is expected to take about a week, with all his audiences through October 20 cancelled.

The pontiff has received good wishes from around the world, including from Britain's King Charles, who is also being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, wished Leo a full and swift recovery in a message posted on X, saying the pontiff was 'a source of hope and inspiration for billions around the world'.