Pope Leo XIV undergoes surgery to remove a lung nodule diagnosed as cancer, according to the Vatican. The 71-year-old pontiff, who has been pope for 17 months, is expected to recover within a week. The procedure was performed at Rome's Gemelli hospital, a key site for papal medical care.
The surgery, which lasted three hours, involved the removal of the lower lobe of Leo's right lung. The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer, during the operation. Preoperative tests had already suspected the condition, and further tests are ongoing to determine if the cancer has spread.
Vatican sources indicate that the pope's health issues are being closely monitored. All public engagements are suspended until October 20, and the pope's planned trip to South America in November is under review. The transparency in disclosing the health issue marks a shift from previous papal health disclosures.
The Vatican has not yet provided details on the cancer's stage or whether it has spread to lymph nodes, which is critical for determining the prognosis. Medical experts emphasize the importance of further tests to assess the full extent of the condition.