Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed with Lung Cancer Following Surgery

Pope Leo XIV, aged 71, is recovering at Rome’s Gemelli hospital after surgery to remove a cancerous growth on his lung. According to a medical bulletin from the Vatican, the pope has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma following the operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The diagnosis was suspected based on preoperative tests. The Vatican did not provide details on the recovery outlook or future treatment plans. The procedure lasted 90 minutes and was reported as successful with no complications. The pope is expected to recover for a week, during which all his audiences through October 20 have been cancelled. Currently, doctors are not discussing chemotherapy or other therapies pending further test results. The Vatican's statement indicated that the surgery involved the radical removal of the lobe, aiming to eliminate any remaining cancerous tissue. Prior to the surgery, Pope Leo addressed well-wishers at the hospital, revealing that a small nodule was discovered during his Sunday noon prayer in St Peter’s Square. He stated, “The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it.” The pope has no known history of serious illness and is considered physically active, engaging in swimming and tennis. This surgery precedes an official tour of Latin America scheduled for November 6-17, which includes multiple flights and significant altitude changes in Peru. It remains unclear if his recovery will impact this itinerary, although the pope expressed his intention to proceed with the journey.