Pope Leo XIV continues his recovery following surgery for lung adenocarcinoma, while the Vatican has shared a message from the Holy Father on family life and announced a new appointment at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The latest developments come as Catholics around the world continue to pray for the Pope’s health.

Pope Leo XIV’s recovery following lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV is recovering following an operation on Oct. 13 at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.

The next key information will come from pathology results, which will help establish the stage of the cancer and determine whether it has spread. Depending on the findings, further treatment could include chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation.

Lung cancer specialists who spoke to EWTN said that, in the best-case scenario, if the cancer is confined and has been fully removed, follow-up care could consist primarily of regular CT scans.

The results will help doctors determine the most appropriate course of care as the Holy Father continues his recovery.

Pope sends message marking 10 years of Amoris Laetitia

While recovering, Pope Leo sent a message to participants in a Vatican conference marking the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on love in the family.

In his message, the Holy Father thanked participants for their prayers and reflected on the importance of families in the life and mission of the Church.

He encouraged those attending to bring the fruits of their discussions back to their respective bishops’ conferences and dioceses, helping translate their reflections into pastoral practice.

The Pope concluded by entrusting the participants to the Holy Family and asking them to continue praying for him, assuring them that he was praying for them as well.

St. Peregrine, patron saint of cancer patients

As Catholics pray for Pope Leo’s recovery, many have also turned to St. Peregrine Laziosi, traditionally invoked as the patron saint of cancer patients.

Peregrine was a 14th-century Servite priest who suffered from a serious cancerous wound on his foot. According to tradition, doctors planned to amputate his leg, but he spent the night praying before an image of Christ crucified. The following morning, he was found to have been healed.

Peregrine was canonized in 1726, and his feast day is celebrated on May 1.

His story has made him a source of spiritual encouragement for those facing cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as for their families and caregivers.

New St. John Henry Newman documentary premieres in Rome

A new documentary about St. John Henry Newman has premiered in Rome.

Lead, Kindly Light: The Story of St. John Henry Newman was presented at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. The film was produced by Lumin Studios in Brazil.

The documentary follows key moments in Newman’s life, visiting places associated with his journey from London and Oxford to Rome, where he prepared for the Catholic priesthood after converting from Anglicanism.

The premiere comes during the first celebration of Newman’s feast day since Pope Leo XIV proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church and co-patron of Catholic education alongside St. Thomas Aquinas in 2025.

Newman, a 19th-century theologian and convert, is widely recognized for his contributions to Catholic thought, education and the development of Christian doctrine.

Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola appointed archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Italian Franciscan Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola as the new archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The 61-year-old archbishop will also serve as vicar general for Vatican City State and president of the Fabric of St. Peter, the institution responsible for the conservation and maintenance of the basilica.

Archbishop Viola previously served as secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Bishop Aurelio García Macías has been appointed to succeed him as secretary of the dicastery.

The appointment places Archbishop Viola in a key role in the pastoral life and upkeep of one of the Catholic Church’s most important churches.