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By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press ROME (AP) — The Vatican on Friday released the first images of Pope Leo XIV since his lung cancer surgery, showing him celebrating Mass, as doctors said that tests confirmed the “continued improvement” in his recovery. The photos show Leo standing up at the altar in green vestments celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel that has been set up for him in Gemelli hospital. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said he presided alone over the liturgy, distributed Communion

Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday he will undergo surgery to remove a nodular lesion on his lung that was recently discovered during medical checks. The pope said it was found in an early stage and was “circumscribed.” He said surgery was scheduled in the coming days. The 71-year-old Leo made the announcement during his Sunday noon blessing. A statement Sunday from the Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, didn’t say when the pope would be hospitalized, but that it would be in t