New Delhi, Oct 14: Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer and has undergone successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said as reported by BBC, in a medical bulletin.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent a 90-minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday. Doctors confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer, after examining a nodule detected during routine medical checks.
“The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican said, adding that the Pope awoke normally after surgery and returned to his room following a brief period of observation.
The Vatican said the entire lower lobe of his right lung was removed to ensure the procedure was complete. Further tests are being conducted to determine whether the cancer has spread. The Pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week, and his schedule has been cleared until October 20 to allow him to recover.
Leo had announced his planned operation during his traditional Sunday Angelus blessing in St Peter’s Square, saying the growth had been detected at a very early stage and doctors had advised its removal.
The news has caused concern among Catholics worldwide. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin described it as a “bolt from the blue” but said the cardinals had been reassured by the Pope’s calmness and remained confident about his recovery, reports BBC. Despite his diagnosis, the pontiff hopes to retain his planned visit to Latin America in early November, including Peru, where he served as a missionary and later as a bishop.
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