Pope Leo XIV has successful surgery to remove lung nodule, Vatican reports

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on Tuesday that confirmed he has lung cancer, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, according to a statement from the Vatican. The tests confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which had been suspected by preoperative tests and was confirmed during the surgery. The 71-year-old was in the operating room for about three hours, with the surgery itself lasting approximately 90 minutes. The Vatican stated, "The surgery was successful, and there were no complications." Leo entered Rome's Gemelli hospital through the main entrance earlier in the day and waved to well-wishers who had gathered to greet him. The surgery was performed by a team led by Gemelli's chief thoracic surgeon, Dr. Stefano Margaritora. The American pontiff has been transparent about this major health issue, the first publicly disclosed during his 17-month papacy. He revealed the discovery of the small, localized nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and announced that he would have it removed. Oncologists stated prior to the operation that even if the nodule was cancerous, Leo's prognosis is "excellent" since it was removed at an early stage. The Vatican announced on Monday that all of Leo's audiences would be canceled through October 20. Although Gemelli has a specific papal apartment that past popes have used, complete with a private chapel on the 10th floor, Leo will be staying in a nearby room due to renovations in the papal apartment, according to the Vatican press office.