Pope Leo XIV issued his first public message Wednesday since undergoing surgery for lung cancer, thanking Catholics for their prayers as he recovered at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican said the operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung was successful, but the diagnosis has raised questions about his recovery and whether he will be able to carry out a planned international trip next month.

“As you know, I have been unable to be among you during these days,” Leo wrote in a message to Catholics attending a symposium marking the 10th anniversary of Amoris laetitia, a document on family life written by his predecessor, Pope Francis.

“I thank you warmly for your prayers and for the work you have done together,” the pope continued, describing the sharing of experiences and listening to one another as “a gift to the whole Church.” He concluded by asking the faithful to continue praying for him, adding, “as I pray for you.”

The message came one day after the Vatican announced that Leo had been diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer. The diagnosis followed a 90-minute operation Tuesday to remove a growth from the lower lobe of his right lung. Vatican officials said the surgery was completed successfully without complications.

Doctors reported Wednesday that the pope had a quiet night at Gemelli Hospital. He resumed a regular diet, began walking around his room and celebrated Mass as his recovery progressed. His personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and chief thoracic surgeon Stefano Margaritora said in a medical update that his recovery was “proceeding as expected.”

The Vatican has canceled Leo’s public appearances through Oct. 20, and he is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately one week. Although the pope previously indicated that the lung growth had been detected at an early stage, doctors have not publicly determined whether he will require additional treatment following surgery.

The diagnosis has also cast uncertainty over Leo’s planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The trip would involve extensive air travel and a demanding schedule, potentially complicating his return to public duties while recovering from lung surgery.

Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori said Wednesday that adjustments to the visit could be necessary given expectations that the pope’s recovery will take several weeks. She expressed hope that the trip could proceed while emphasizing that his health must come first.

“We hope his recovery will be swift and that his visit can go ahead, but we will also understand if that is not possible,” Fujimori said.

The Vatican has not announced a cancellation of the South American trip. Any decision will depend on the pope’s recovery and medical guidance in the coming weeks.

Leo, the first American to become pope, disclosed the lung growth during his Sunday prayer address in St. Peter’s Square, telling the faithful that doctors had recommended surgery to remove it. The subsequent operation confirmed the cancer diagnosis, which the Vatican said physicians had suspected based on tests conducted before the procedure.

For now, the pontiff’s immediate focus remains recovery, while Catholics around the world await further updates on his health and the future of his upcoming travel plans.