Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a 90-minute procedure and was subsequently diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. The Vatican stated that "the operation was successful and there were no complications" and that the Pope "awoke normally" after the surgery.
The lump was first discovered during routine checks. The Vatican said the entire lower lobe of the Pope's right lung was removed "to ensure the procedure was radical." A Vatican source told Agence France-Presse that further tests were underway to determine whether the cancer had spread.
The Pope himself announced the operation on Sunday from the balcony of St Peter's Square, describing the nodule as "contained" and found "at a very early stage." He said doctors had advised removal. The Vatican stressed that the pontiff, generally considered to be fit, had no symptoms of infection or illness. Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo wrote on social media that he had met with Pope Leo on Monday and said the pontiff felt "nothing wrong" physically.
The Pope chose to proceed with surgery promptly because he is scheduled to travel to Latin America in early November. The trip holds particular significance as it includes a visit to Peru, where the pontiff previously served as a missionary and bishop. His schedule has been cleared until October 20 to allow for recovery.
The Vatican confirmed the diagnosis as pulmonary adenocarcinoma, "as suspected by pre-operative tests." Nodules are common growths that are not necessarily cancerous, but medical examination confirmed this one was malignant.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin told journalists on Tuesday that the news struck like a "bolt from the blue" but expressed confidence in the Pope's recovery, noting the cardinals had been struck by his "serenity."
The Pope is expected to remain hospitalized for about a week. Crowds gathered outside Gemelli Hospital, which has treated several popes, offering prayers and well wishes as the pontiff was admitted.