Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer after successful surgery

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing major surgery to remove part of his right lung, the Vatican announced on Tuesday. Tests confirmed the 71-year-old pontiff has lung adenocarcinoma, a diagnosis that had been suspected by pre-operative tests and was confirmed during the procedure.

Surgery Details and Recovery

The operation took place at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. According to the Vatican, the surgery was "successful, and there were no complications." The Pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, with the procedure itself lasting roughly 90 minutes.

Professor Stefano Margaritora, the Pope's lead surgeon, stated in an update that "In order to make the procedure curative, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique." He added, "A rapid intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as had been suspected from the pre-operative tests."

Following the operation, the Vatican said the Pope "awoke normally and returned after a brief period of observation to his room on the 10th floor." The Vatican has stated there are currently no plans for the Pope to begin chemotherapy or other therapies.

Early Detection and Public Reaction

The lung nodule was detected during what the Vatican described as "routine checks." Pope Leo XIV announced the news of his upcoming operation to the public on Sunday from the balcony in St Peter's Square. He described the growth as "contained" and noted it had been found "at a very early stage," stating, "The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it."

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told journalists that the news came like a "bolt from the blue," but emphasized the cardinals' confidence in the Pope's recovery. "We spoke with great serenity," Parolin said. "He is truly a great example... Thank God it was detected immediately, so the operation could take place immediately."

Schedule Adjustments

The Vatican has canceled all of Pope Leo's audiences and appointments through October 20 to allow for recovery. The weekly papal audience on Wednesday will be led by Luis Antonio Tagle, a cardinal from the Philippines who was recently elected dean of the college of cardinals.

Pope Leo is scheduled to travel to Latin America in early November for a 12-day trip covering 10 cities, including a visit to Peru, where he previously served as a missionary and bishop. Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo noted that the Pope decided to proceed with surgery quickly to ensure he could stick to that travel plan.

Why it matters

The diagnosis marks a significant health event for the first US-born leader of the Roman Catholic church, who is generally considered to be in good physical health. While the Vatican has emphasized the early detection and successful removal of the tumor, the cancellation of public engagements through late October highlights the immediate impact on the papal schedule. The situation has drawn global attention, with large crowds gathering outside Gemelli Hospital to offer support.

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Sources

• mirror.co.uk: Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung cancer as surgery to remove right lung lobe proves successful - The Mirror
• bbc.com: Pope diagnosed with lung cancer but had successful surgery, Vatican says
• independent.co.uk: Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer and had lower lobe of lung removed, Vatican says | The Independent
• theguardian.com: Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer as growth removed during surgery | Pope Leo XIV | The Guardian

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.