Pope Leo XIV has begun walking and is eating normal meals after surgery to remove cancer from his lung, the Vatican said Wednesday, according to the Associated Press and NBC News.

"The Holy Father underwent respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking in his room. He resumed his regular diet and had breakfast and lunch," his doctors said, the AP reported. "Recovery is proceeding as planned."

Blood tests and a chest X-ray showed the 71-year-old pope was healing normally, both outlets reported. NBC News quoted the medical team as saying the results "confirm a normal post-operative course."

Tuesday's surgery confirmed that Leo has lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, the AP said. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung.

It is not yet known whether the cancer has spread, both outlets reported. Experts told the AP that some lymph nodes would have been removed and tested, but those results have not been made public.

Peru's president, Keiko Fujimori, suggested the pope's planned trip to Latin America next month could change, both outlets said. "We understand that his recovery will take several weeks longer than expected and, therefore, we also understand that there could be some changes to the schedule of his visit," Fujimori said on Peruvian TV, NBC News reported. The week-long visit to Peru was due to start Nov. 11, NBC said.

NBC News said Fujimori's comments were somewhat at odds with the Vatican's word that the pope was recovering as expected.

Leo, who was born in Chicago, spent more than 20 years working in Peru, NBC News reported. The lump in his lung was found during a routine checkup, and he revealed it during his Sunday prayer, NBC said.

What we know: The pope is walking, eating and healing normally, his doctors said.
What we don't: Whether the cancer has spread, or whether the Peru trip will go ahead.