Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing major chest surgery in Rome.
The Vatican confirmed on Tuesday that the 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung removed at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.
He had been in the operating room for about three hours, with the surgery itself lasting around 90 minutes.
According to the medical bulletin, doctors discovered a small nodule during a routine health check and decided to operate.
During the procedure led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, chief thoracic surgeon at Gemelli, tests confirmed a pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer.
“The surgery was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican said, adding that the Pope woke up normally and returned to his room.
This is the first major health challenge of his pontificate. Leo had personally revealed the nodule to faithful during his Sunday Angelus, saying it was caught at a very early stage and well contained.
The Vatican has cancelled all his public audiences through October 20 and said he will remain in hospital for about a week.
Further tests will determine if additional treatment is needed.
