Pope Leo celebrated Mass and will lead the Angelus on Sunday
The Pope presided over the service in the hall set up on the tenth floor of the Policlinico Gemelli. In his homily, he thanked all the staff (doctors, nurses and ward assistants) for the work they carry out every day in caring for the sick and ‘for all they have done and continue to do for him’.
Key points
The Pope and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation this afternoon. This was reported by the Vatican Press Office. “During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the town of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, calling for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical aid and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population. Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue and peace.”
‘The Pope will lead the Angelus’ on Sunday 18 October
This was announced by the Vatican spokesperson, Matteo Bruni, who did not specify where, but explained that the post-operative recovery period is currently expected to last one week. At 12 noon today, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in the room set up on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Polyclinic. Present were medical and nursing staff from the hospital – who were off duty at the time – and members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie. The spokesperson also stated that the Pope is in ‘good spirits’.
Acknowledgements
“In his homily, the Pope thanked all the staff – doctors, nurses and hospital porters – for the work they do every day in caring for the sick and their frailty, and, in particular, for what they have done and continue to do for him,” reports the Vatican Press Office, releasing photos of Leone.
Improvements in general conditions
“This morning, the Holy Father underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray, which confirmed the steady improvement in his general condition,” said doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora in an update on the Pope’s health whilst he is hospitalised at the Gemelli. “Respiratory physiotherapy sessions have continued. His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out normal daily activities completely independently,” they explain.
The trip to Latin America
Meanwhile, the list of media organisations authorised to board the papal flight for the Pope’s trip to Latin America – scheduled for 6 November – has just been released, but this does not mean that the trip will definitely go ahead. For example, Pope Francis’s apostolic journey to South Sudan – scheduled for June 2022 – was subsequently postponed to February 2023. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, whilst noting that it will depend on the doctors’ advice and how things pan out, had emphasised that it would be a ‘long and demanding journey’.
